At BlueNova we manufacture Lithium Ion Batteries. In essence, Lithium Ion Batteries exist because of the discovery of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2). When you pair a lithium cobalt oxide cathode with a graphite anode (in most cases), intercalation of lithium ions between layers of graphene takes place. This takes place in the spaces that occupy the enclosed site between single hexagonal rings of carbon atoms.

When you charge a lithium ion battery, the lithium ions move from the positive electrode, or the cathode, through a solid / liquid electrolyte to the negative electrode, or the graphite anode. While the battery runs down this process occurs in reverse. Lithium iron phosphate is one of the chemistries found in the lithium-ion family.