Ann: Syrah signs 80,000 TPA Chalieco Binding Offtake Agreement, page-68

Duke, coating results in improved energy and power densities, decreases charge transfer resistance, gives better cycle life, and superior safety levels. The usual coating is a very thin film of non-graphitic carbon, though other materials have been tried at different times. For more information, see:

Guoping et al, "Journal of Power Sources", 176, (2005)

This may be more than you wanted to know. The bottom line is that it makes the batteries substantially better, on a power-to-weight basis. Critical for EVs.

Cheers,

Prime1