Recent advancements in lithium battery technology have led to the development of batteries with significantly extended lifespans. Here are a couple of notable inventions:

1. **Nanowire-Based Batteries**: Researchers at the Irvine, stumbled upon a battery material that can be recharged for years, even decades. They discovered that using a gel electrolyte instead of a liquid one prevents nanowires in the battery from breaking down, which typically occurs after a certain number of charging cycles. The gel electrolyte's thickness allows it to seep into the nanowires, made of manganese oxide, reducing their fragility and potentially leading to ultra-long-life batteries.

2. **Oxygen-Ion Batteries**: Scientists at the Vienna University of Technology have invented an oxygen-ion battery based on ceramic materials. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, the storage capacity of oxygen-ion batteries does not decrease over time and can be regenerated, suggesting an extremely long lifespan. These batteries do not require rare elements, are incombustible, and could be an optimal solution for large energy storage systems.

These innovations represent significant steps forward in battery technology, offering the potential for safer, more sustainable, and longer-lasting energy storage solutions.