New lithium ion batteries charge in 20 seconds

[pArkEr]

MIT engineers have created a new type of lithium ion battery that can be recharged in just 10 to 20 seconds.

By devising a new material processing technique, Professor Gerbrand Ceder and his team created prototype lithium iron phosphate batteries that can charge or discharge around twenty times faster than today's rechargeables.

Current lithium rechargeable batteries have very high energy densities but have slow power rates, thanks to the fact that they can only charge when the lithium ions are precisely aligned with microscopic tunnels in the battery material.

Skirting the recharging traffic jam

Ceder's team devised a way around the problem by creating a new surface structure that allows the lithium ions to move quickly around the outside of the material, like a ring road. When an ion traveling along this miniature M25 reaches a tunnel, it is instantly diverted into it.

Further tests showed that unlike other battery materials, the new material does not significantly degrade when repeatedly charged and recharged.

"The ability to charge and discharge batteries in a matter of seconds rather than hours may open up new technological applications and induce lifestyle changes," says Ceder.

No least of which could be practical electric car batteries that don't require an overnight connection to get enough power for local jaunts.

Because the material involved is not new - the researchers have simply changed the way they make it - Ceder believes the work could make it into the marketplace within two to three years.

http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/new-lithium-ion-batteries-charge-in-20-seconds-581882?src=rss&attr=all

[cr@zydude]

This looks so cool. Wonder if these new batteries will be compatible with older laptops though.

[Signor 65]

This might mean people just recharge their phones, laptop batteries etc etc etc in mere seconds. I wonder how long the battery lasts?

[MonGooS]

Further tests showed that unlike other battery materials, the new material does not significantly degrade when repeatedly charged and recharged.

Does this mean they will last longer in general or do they just refer to the degrading when recharged ? Since the general life span is different to the actual deterioration of recharging.

[Chaos]

MIT engineers have created a new type of lithium ion battery that can be recharged in just 10 to 20 seconds.

By devising a new material processing technique, Professor Gerbrand Ceder and his team created prototype lithium iron phosphate batteries that can charge or discharge around twenty times faster than today's rechargeables.



I like the idea but, please, help me with my maths...

my phone recharge time / 20 = 10 to 20s? ... no
my laptop recharge time / 20 = 10 to 20s? ... still no

According to my watch, twenty times faster recharge time is still in the minutes somewhere.

(or does mine recharge realy slowly?)

[James Donaldson]

I'd like to know how long the batteries last too. We assume they'll last 3-4 hours, but they haven't said.

20 seconds sounds awesome, but if they only last for 20 seconds before needing the next 20 seconds charge, it wouldn't be great at all.

[Miktar]

God Bless MIT.

The batteries probably last as long as regular lithium ion batteries, which in the case of my iPod, is like 36 hours of music playing.

[BattleMoose]

God Bless MIT.

AMEN BROTHER!

Sounds too good to be true, really hope it is true tho!

[Domanskip]

God Bless MIT.

They might have some objections to that comment ;)

But I agree, they seem to be spitting up some amazing stuff of late.

[P_ablo]

Quick question, they said charge and discharge, but the discharging happens during use, so the batteries last 20 times shorter?

[ShadowMaster]

Quick question, they said charge and discharge, but the discharging happens during use, so the batteries last 20 times shorter?

Batteries only discharge at the rate the power is used as far as I know, so that only means that you will be able to draw the juice from it quicker if need be. Can someone more in the know confirm this?

[X-Gamer]

Quick question, they said charge and discharge, but the discharging happens during use, so the batteries last 20 times shorter?



No. You're clearly not thinking like an engineer. (Then there would be no point to it, now would there?)


Batteries only discharge at the rate the power is used as far as I know, so that only means that you will be able to draw the juice from it quicker if need be. Can someone more in the know confirm this?

Yip,that would be correct. (not that i'm "in the know" though.)

[Toi]

Finally, I'm sick of all this "let's cure HIV and cancer" when all we really need in life are better batteries.

[Miktar]

Finally, I'm sick of all this "let's cure HIV and cancer" when all we really need in life are better batteries.

Don't be a tool. Mankind's ability to cure diseases is LIMITED by power, everything in humanity is limited by our dependance on insufficient power. Perhaps the cure to HIV requires something you place in your body that needs enough power to run? Have you thought of that?

Damn Toi. Stop being such a cynic.

[BattleMoose]

Also, from what I understand and heard, AIDS research is limited by ideas and concepts, as opposed to manpower/money/equipment. Throwing more money at it, isn't going to do much good.

[Miktar]

Either way, let's not detail this thread with Toi's own agenda here.

[X-Gamer]

Well it turns out that they got a battery which charged in 300 seconds to charge in 10-20 seconds.

There's still much work ahead before you get that FACTOR 20 power increase in ANY battery.

[Toi]

Don't be a tool. Mankind's ability to cure diseases is LIMITED by power, everything in humanity is limited by our dependance on insufficient power. Perhaps the cure to HIV requires something you place in your body that needs enough power to run? Have you thought of that?

Damn Toi. Stop being such a cynic.

I'm not a cynic and I wasn't trying to be sarcastic. I think you took my post too serious.

It was just a joke, chillax man. You should know by now that I was last in line to get a sense of humor.

I was merely trying to emphasize just how cool this actually is.

[Miktar]

Sorry I missed the joke - there was zero indication it was one, the tone of the post was much like many such posts all around the internet where people aren't in fact attempting humour. So, my bad.

[The_Q?]

Besides the obvious benefit when applied to existing technology like cellphones & stuff, imagine the potential for new technology... Communal device recharge stations!?

One thing I'd like to know is if they consume the same amount of power during the shortened recharge cycle. If they needed MORE power to do so, that would be fail.