Sharp Laboratories of Europe conducts research on battery technologies, including the use of carbon in batteries. Carbon can be used as a conductive additive in battery electrodes to improve electronic conductivity, increase porosity, and optimize performance and life. SLE is developing innovative carbon materials and evaluating them for energy storage. The lab also works on optimizing battery electrodes and cells, including developing sodium ion batteries as a lower-cost alternative to lithium ion batteries for residential energy storage applications.