MIT studies have found that hydrogen iodide , a compound in lithium air batteries , may not be suitable for use . In previous tests , researchers used lithium batteries to address lithium air batteries ' need for high voltages to charge , low efficiency , and poor cycle lifetimes . Lithium - air batteries contain up to three times the power - to - weight ratio of lithium - ion batteries . However , the addition of lithium iodide was unable to prevent limited charging - discharging cycles and irreversible reactions , the MIT researchers found .
MIT researchers have found that lithium iodide, a compound in lithium air batteries, may not be suitable for use. In previous tests, researchers introduced lithium iodide to address lithium air batteries' need for high voltages to charge, low efficiency, and poor cycle lifetimes. Lithium-air batteries provide up to three times the power-to-weight ratio of lithium-ion batteries. However, the addition of lithium iodide was unable to prevent limited charging-discharging cycles and irreversible reactions, the MIT researchers found.