Photos: Turning green into gold

Nanoexa is developing cheaper, more efficient lithium-ion batteries for use in power tools, and perhaps eventually, electric cars. The company has licensed technology from the Department of Energy.

Nanoexa uses computer modeling to inspect battery ingredients at the atomic level, leading to safer, more reliable batteries. It has reduced the use of cobalt and the expense of nickel by two-thirds, said Richard D'sa, chief operating officer of the company. CEO and founder Michael Pak also co-founded Nanostellar, which has reduced platinum in catalytic converters by 20 percent.