Daqus Energy, a startup spun out of MIT, has developed a new battery material called TAQ that is cheaper and lighter than competing materials.TAQ is made entirely of widely available carbon-based compounds and doesn't require expensive critical minerals like nickel or cobalt.The manufacturing process for TAQ uses significantly less energy and allows for the use of water as a solvent, instead of toxic solvents.TAQ-powered batteries have shown durability and the potential for fast charging, making them a promising solution for EVs, especially in sports cars.