NE_2014_16 Lithium ion batteries have become benchmark technology due to their high charge capacity. Increasing their charge rate and charge would allow rechargeable power to better meet the demands of electric vehicle manufacturers. We target the graphite anode currently used in lithium ion batteries for replacement with a novel carbon nanotube aerogel anode boasting high specific surface area; by increasing the specific anode lithium loading capacity, as well as the surface available mass, we hope to boost the specific energy and charge rate of the battery.