He explains that increasing the energy density of batteries through improved materials is the best way to achieve lower cost.

Dahn moved his research group from their 20-year research agreement with 3M to a new five year partnership with Tesla. Tesla invested in a new research lab close to Dahn's group near Halifax, Nova Scotia.

There are three main goals with Tesla's research partnership:

1. Lower the cost of li-ion batteries
2. Increase their lifetime
3. Increase energy density