around the silicon atom, Liu et al. has proven that this small structural change leaves enough room for the silicon to expand and contract without providing mechanical strain on the electrode. Nanostructured cathode materials Carbon nanostructures have been used to increase the capability of electrodes, namely the cathode. In LiSO2 batteries, carbon nanostructuring was able to theoretically increase the energy density of the battery by 70% from the current lithium-ion battery technology. In general, lithium alloys have been found to have an increased theoretical energy density than lithium ions. Traditionally, LiCoO2 has been used as the cathode in lithium-ion batteries. The first successful alternative cathode for use in electric vehicles has been LiFePO4. LiFePO4 has shown increased power density, a longer lifetime and improved safety over LiCoO2. Graphene Graphene could be used to improve the electrical conductivity of cathode materials. LiCoO2, LiMn2O4and LiFePO4 are all commonly used cathode materials in lithium-ion batteries. These cathode materials have typically mixed with other carbon-composite materials to improve their rate capability. As graphene has a higher electrical conductivity than these other carbon-composite materials, like carbon black, graphene has a greater ability to improve these cathode materials more than other carbon-composite additives. Piao et al. has specifically studied porous graphene in relation to just graphene. Porous graphene combined with LiFePO4 was advantageous over just graphene combined with LiFePO4, for improved cycle stability. Porous graphene created good pore channels for the diffusion of lithium ions and prevented the buildup of LiFePO4 particles. Raccichini et al. suggested graphene-based composites as cathodes in sodium-ion batteries. Sodium ions are too large to fit into the typical graphite lattice, so graphene would allow sodium ions to intercalate. Graphene has also been suggested to fix some of the problems related to lithium-sulphur batteries. Problems associated with lithium sulphur batteries include dissolution of the intermediate in the electrolyte, large volume expansion and poor electrical conductivity. Graphene has been mixed with sulphur at the cathode in an attempt to improve the capacity, stability and conductivity of these batteries. Conversion electrodes Conversion electrodes are electrodes where chemical ionic bonds are broken and reformed. A transformation of the crystalline structure of the molecules also occurs. In conversion electrodes, three lithium ions can be accommodated for every metal ion, whereas the current intercalation technology can only accommodate one lithium ion for every metal ion. Larger lithium to metal ion ratios indicate increased battery capacity. A disadvantage