MIT breakthrough promises lighter, fast-charging batteries

Would enable lithium-ion batteries to recharge in seconds
By Sumner Lemon - ComputerWorld

March 12, 2009 (IDG News Service) Technology developed by MIT scientists that enable lithium-ion batteries to charge in seconds instead of hours could open the door to smaller, faster-charging batteries for cell phones and other devices.

Lithium-ion batteries are used widely in portable electronics because they can store large amounts of energy. The trade-off is that the batteries can take hours to recharge, which can be an inconvenience for users who are constantly on the move.

A team of MIT scientists, led by professor Gerbrand Cedar, discovered that lithium ions, which carry electricity in the battery, can move much faster if they are aligned with tunnels that can be accessed from the surface of the battery, according to an MIT statement.

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