The lithium batteries we use today—so-called third-generation batteries—still rely on graphite-based anodes. While effective, graphite limits how quickly batteries can be recharged, posing one of the main obstacles to the wider adoption of electric vehicles. High charging currents can indeed cause lithium metal to deposit on the anode surface, reducing battery life and potentially creating safety risks. Finding alternative materials that can match graphite’s performance but allow for safer, faster charging is therefore a key challenge in battery research.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called "forever chemicals," have been widely used for decades in everything from waterproof clothing and food packaging to firefighting foams and non-stick cookware due to their exceptional ability to repel water and oils. However, these chemicals persist in the environment for centuries and accumulate in human bodies, with growing evidence linking them to serious health problems including cancer, developmental delays in children, and reproductive issues.