Discussions around lithium-ion batteries are never ending. But, the traditional lithium-ion may actually be on the way out.

Scientists continue to overcome the obstacles which hold the longer-lasting lithium-oxygen batteries back. The main issue is lack of efficiency and the build-up of lithium peroxide, which reduces the electrodes’ effectiveness.

Now, according to research published in the journal Nature Communications, a team at Yale has used a molecule found in blood as a catalyst that not only improved the lithium-oxygen function, but may help reduce bio-waste.

Lithium-oxygen, or lithium-air batteries, have the potential to hold a charge for much longer than traditional lithium-ion batteries and extend the life of devices like phones to several weeks before they’d need to be recharged. Before, like most new discoveries, the idea cannot become a reality until challenges are overcome—in this case, problems of efficiency and lithium peroxide build-up need to be solved first.

While Yale researchers searched for a way for lithium oxide in the cell to decompose back into lithium ions and gaseous oxygen, they found one in an unexpected place: animal blood.

Researchers found that when blood was used in the battery, it reduced the amount of energy needed for the battery to charge and discharge.

Often just disposed of as a waste product, this new application for the molecule could also help reduce the environmental impact of other industries.