Better batteries through nanotechnology

We've seen hybrid batteries, hairy capacitors, and ultracapacitors, but considering how much we depend on batteries, we're not ones to turn up our noses at yet another new battery development. This latest one comes from researchers in France, who have turned to nanotechnology to create lithium-ion battery electrodes that have several times the energy capacity of traditional electrodes, meaning that batteries could either be significantly smaller or remain the same size and squeeze a whole lot more juice out of a single charge. Of course, one of the many big application for nano batteries is in remote sensors and medical implants, where smaller and longer lasting are definitely better. Which is probably why those smaller-scaled applications are the first we're likely to see, as larger electrodes are currently far less efficient than small ones. Thankfully the researchers at hand believe the technology could eventually be used to power electric and hybrid vehicles, which is always the dream, right?

[Via MobileMag]

[Dan F @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:14AM]

very nice, now the real question is: how do we get this longer battery into my ipod and dells new 20 inch laptop?

[Nilton Volpato @ Jun 23rd 2006 4:31AM]

Yeah! Was waiting for this... er... I'm still waiting...

[mccdyl001 @ Jun 23rd 2006 5:17AM]

This sounds all good and promising, but I'm still waiting for nuclear powered batteries that last the life of the product. So you buy your ipod, and the battery lasts 5 years. Or you buy a laptop and you can leave it on, unplugged, for the next 10 years. Now thats what I want. But any stop-gaps in the meantime are appreciated!

[TZK @ Jun 23rd 2006 6:04AM]

Nan tech will never work because Apple will sue them over the name.

[Craig @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:10AM]

I can't wait for the day when laptops get so small you need a magnifying glass to see the screen and type with a toothpick...

[abigsmurf @ Jun 23rd 2006 8:54AM]

if it means we can get 5000mah 3.7V batteries in our phones I'm all for it

[jasondefaoite @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:12AM]

I wonder how long it'll take before we see one of these cause a Dell laptop to explode.

[Andrew @ Jun 23rd 2006 9:23AM]

see the whole nuclear powered thing wont work, what happens when it breaks, or, god knows those crafty terrists (think of how bush pronounces terrorists, sounds like tourists) will figure out a way to get the nuclear materials out and take down the USA MacGyver Style

[Kurtis @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:21AM]

Andrew, you can't create a nuclear weapon out of just any old nuclear material. Have you ever heard the term "weapons grade?"

[Osiris @ Jun 23rd 2006 11:43AM]

Well the Nuclear material would still easily be enough to kill someone if they were exposed to it.
Not a good idea.

I'm still waiting for a low spec laptop with an insane battery that lasts for like 14 hours or something.
I don't need a portable gaming laptop that runs for 10mins on battery and scorches your thighs.

[CJ @ Jun 24th 2006 4:01PM]

Maybe when this new batteries come out ill finally be able to finish a dvd movie on my laptop