SitatMIT researchers have found that adding genetically modified viruses to the production of nanowires will boost the performance of lithium-air battery used in Electric Cars.

The nanowires are about the width of a red blood cell, and they can serve as one of a battery's electrodes.

SitatA Tesla patent, unearthed by faithful reader John C. Briggs, outlines a detailed plan for "an improved protection system for a battery pack mounted between the passenger cabin floor panel of an electric vehicle and the driving surface."

The application, number 13311435, subsequently became patent 8286743, granted to Tesla on October 16, 2012, for a "vehicle battery pack ballistic shield."