Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[FreedomPop Sleeve wants to spread 'free' WiMAX love in the form of a $99 iPhone case]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/freedompop-wimax-sleeve/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/freedompop-wimax-sleeve/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/freedompop-wimax-sleeve/#comments Image

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of free WiMAX? According to FreedomPop, yeah, that seems to be the deal. The outfit, started by one of Skype's co-founders, is peddling $99 WiMAX-equipped iPhone cases that share up to 500MB of free data per month via an embedded WiFi module. The case also extends battery life by six hours and enables FaceTime everywhere you go. FreedomPop Sleeve rumors have been circling the net since December, but now the company is taking things to the next level by officially accepting pre-orders for a launch some time after July 1st. It seems that the company intends to get you hooked on free data in the hopes of selling you premium features later on, such as a VoIP tool and a $0.01 charge per megabyte over the monthly data limit. There's a video of the device in action after the break.

Continue reading FreedomPop Sleeve wants to spread 'free' WiMAX love in the form of a $99 iPhone case

FreedomPop Sleeve wants to spread 'free' WiMAX love in the form of a $99 iPhone case originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 02:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4gappleapple iphoneAppleIphonebatteriescasecasesdatafreefree dataFreeDatafreedom sleevefreedompopfreedomsleeveiphoneiphone caseiphone casesIphoneCaseIphoneCasesmobilepostcrossmobilepostminiskypesleevewifiwimaxwireless batterywireless dataWirelessBatteryWirelessDataFri, 11 May 2012 02:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx set to hit Europe and Middle East in May]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/motorola-droid-razr-maxx-europe-middle-east/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/motorola-droid-razr-maxx-europe-middle-east/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/motorola-droid-razr-maxx-europe-middle-east/#comments Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx set to hit Europe and Middle East in May
While Stateside folks have been enjoying the thicker, but longer lasting RAZR Maxx for a few months now, those from across the pond have been missing out. Good news is you won't have to wait it out on the sidelines much longer, as Motorola's announced the extra juice-packing Maxx is set to make its Euro and Middle Eastern debut come next month. However, Moto wasn't clear about how much you'll have to shell out to grasp onto this Droid, or which specific countries it'll make the trip toward. Whatever it may be, let's hope it's already been fed that Ice Cream Sandwich we spotted a while back...

Continue reading Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx set to hit Europe and Middle East in May

Motorola Droid RAZR Maxx set to hit Europe and Middle East in May originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbatteriesbatterydroiddroid razrdroid razr maxxDroidRazrDroidRazrMaxxeuropemaxxmiddle eastMiddleEastmobilepostminimotorolaMotorola RAZRmotorola razr maxxMotorolaRazrMotorolaRazrMaxxpowerrazrUKvideoTue, 03 Apr 2012 18:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung throws in free extended battery with VZW Galaxy Nexus, applies to new purchases only]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/samsung-direct-verizon-galaxy-nexus-free-extended-battery-promotion/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/samsung-direct-verizon-galaxy-nexus-free-extended-battery-promotion/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/02/samsung-direct-verizon-galaxy-nexus-free-extended-battery-promotion/#comments
Samsung must be keenly aware that the Galaxy Nexus' battery life takes a hit on Verizon's LTE network: for a limited time, the outfit's throwing in a free 2,100mAh extended battery for first-time buyers (sorry, current Nexus owners are out of luck). To take advantage of the promotion, you'll have to purchase it through Samsung Direct (link below), which means you'll be paying $300 for the device and agreeing to a two-year contract. As Android and Me notes, though, you'd save quite a bit of money picking up the VZW Nexus and accompanying battery pack at Amazon for a combined $134. Suffice to say, then, this isn't a stellar deal, but those of you who disagree can avail yourselves through May 10, or while supplies last.

Samsung throws in free extended battery with VZW Galaxy Nexus, applies to new purchases only originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryextended batteryExtendedBatteryfreeGalaxy NexusGalaxyNexusmobilepostcrossmobilepostminiNexuspromotionpromotionsSamsung GalaxySamsung Galaxy NexusSamsungGalaxySamsungGalaxyNexusMon, 02 Apr 2012 11:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Conversion kit lets you push your RAZR to the Maxx for $110]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/conversion-kit-lets-you-push-your-razr-to-the-maxx-for-110/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/conversion-kit-lets-you-push-your-razr-to-the-maxx-for-110/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/29/conversion-kit-lets-you-push-your-razr-to-the-maxx-for-110/#comments Conversion kit lets you push your RAZR to the Maxx for $110Let's pretend you went ahead and purchased a shiny new Motorola RAZR this past November. Now, just for the sake of argument, let's say Motorola -- only months later -- released a new version of that handset with a battery that had some pundits asking, 'where has this phone been my whole life?' Yeah, that happened. But if you've managed to overlook Moto's past transgression, and are willing to sink another $110 into your handset, you too can experience the battery that just won't quit. The Cellphone Repair Shop is hawking a kit that will outfit your plain old RAZR with genuine Motorola RAZR Maxx parts -- battery included. The site recommends that you send your handset to its repair facility for "professional installation," but we're sure some of you are up to the challenge. How about it, RAZR owners, are any of you tinkerers going to try and Maxx-out your handset?

Conversion kit lets you push your RAZR to the Maxx for $110 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoriesaccessoryAndroidbatteriesBatterybattery packBatteryPackCellphone Repair ShopCellphoneRepairShopDROIDDROID RAZR MaxxDroidRazrMaxxMaxxmobilepostminiMotorolamotorola droidMotorola RAZRMotorolaDroidMotorolaRazroempowerRAZRreplacementreplacement batteryReplacementBatteryretrofitsmartphonesmartphonesUpgradeThu, 29 Mar 2012 13:13:00 EST<![CDATA[What if trees could be used as batteries?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/trees-could-be-used-as-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/trees-could-be-used-as-batteries/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/trees-could-be-used-as-batteries/#comments What if trees could be used as batteries?

Yes, our bark-skinned friends are nice and beautiful and we shouldn't mess with them too much. But here's the thing: we already chop them down for paper, so why not use their spare woody meat for batteries too? Like previous attempts at organic energy storage, it all hinges on mimicking photosynthesis. Up to the a third of the biomass of a tree is a pulpy substance called lignin, which is a by-product from paper production and which contains electro-chemically active molecules called quinones. With a bit of processing, Professor Olle Inganäs at Linköping University in Sweden reckons he can turn lignin into a thin film that can be used as cathode in a battery, and he believes it's efficient enough to start industrial-style development of the technology. "Nature solved the problem long ago", he says, and "[Lignin is] a source that never ends". Meanwhile, if you imagine Inganäs as having a long white beard and cloak, then, er, snap.

What if trees could be used as batteries? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryligninLinköping UniversityLinköpingUniversityLOTROlle InganäsOlleInganäsorganicphotosynthesisquinonestreesFri, 23 Mar 2012 08:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Tesla to owners: Plug it in]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/tesla-to-owners-plug-it-in/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/tesla-to-owners-plug-it-in/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/25/tesla-to-owners-plug-it-in/#comments Tesla to owners: Plug it inEV maker Tesla has come under fire for allegations that its vehicles can be "bricked" when their batteries are completely discharged. Such instances require that the cells be replaced to the tune of $40,000, which doesn't sit well with folks who already forked over six figures to buy a Roadster in the first place. Tesla doesn't deny the charge (pardon the pun), but it does offer a common sense suggestion to avoid the problem: simply plug the car in. Tesla implies this danger is only likely for early adopters, and says it's also made strides to idiot-proof later vehicles with advanced warning systems -- Tesla 2.0 Roadsters can phone home to Tesla headquarters with a low juice alert, for example. Tesla documents safe battery charging practices in the owner's documentation, though, so here's an idea: if you're going to spend $109,000 on an electric sports car, maybe it's a good idea to RTFM (read the freaking manual).

Tesla to owners: Plug it in originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Feb 2012 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterybattery packBatteryPackbrickelectric vehicleElectricVehicleevissueproblemroadsterteslatesla roadsterTeslaRoadsterSat, 25 Feb 2012 07:02:00 EST<![CDATA[IRL: the Kindle Touch, a repurposed Army bag and a non-user replaceable laptop battery]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/irl-the-79-kindle-a-repurposed-army-bag-and-a-non-user-replac/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/irl-the-79-kindle-a-repurposed-army-bag-and-a-non-user-replac/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/25/irl-the-79-kindle-a-repurposed-army-bag-and-a-non-user-replac/#commentsWelcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

Hi there, folks. It's that time of the week where we share our close and very personal experiences with various gadget paraphernalia. This week, Brian makes the switch from the Nook Simple Touch to the Kindle Touch, Ben explains why he'd rather replace his own laptop battery, thank you very much, and Don makes the case for a laptop bag that looks anything but.

Continue reading IRL: the Kindle Touch, a repurposed Army bag and a non-user replaceable laptop battery

IRL: the Kindle Touch, a repurposed Army bag and a non-user replaceable laptop battery originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmazonAmazon KindleAmazon Kindle TouchAmazonKindleAmazonKindleTouchAppleapple batteryAppleBatterybatteriesbatterybattery replacementBatteryReplacementBen DrawbaughBenDrawbaughBrian HeaterBrianHeaterDon MelansonDonMelansonengadgetirlirlKindle TouchKindle4KindleTouchlaptop baglaptop bagsLaptopBagLaptopBagsWed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chevy Volt safe from fire hazard after all, says government]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/chevy-volt-safe-from-fire-hazard-after-all-says-government/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/chevy-volt-safe-from-fire-hazard-after-all-says-government/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/24/chevy-volt-safe-from-fire-hazard-after-all-says-government/#comments The Chevy Volt isn't prone to catching fire after all, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The all-electric car came under scrutiny last year after one caught fire following a side-impact crash test. GM offered a buyback program for Volt owners concerned their cars might suddenly immolate, then the company made "enhancements" to the Volt's battery coolant system. That set things right, as far as the NHTSA is concerned: it says "no discernable defect trend exists" in the Volt, and that GM's revisions "reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts." Chevy dropped the Volt's price by $1,000 for 2012, too. So what do you think? Is a $39,000 starting price and less of a chance of burning to death enough to make you go electric?

Chevy Volt safe from fire hazard after all, says government originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobatteriesbatterycarcarschevroletChevrolet VoltChevroletVoltChevyChevy VoltChevyVoltelectricelectric carelectric carsElectricCarElectricCarsfirefire hazardFireHazardgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmhazardNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationNHTSAsafetyvoltTue, 24 Jan 2012 02:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget: best sub-$70 smartphone battery pack?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/07/ask-engadget-best-sub-70-smartphone-battery-pack/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/07/ask-engadget-best-sub-70-smartphone-battery-pack/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/07/ask-engadget-best-sub-70-smartphone-battery-pack/#comments
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from a nameless Engadgeteer, who needs a heavy-duty smartphone battery for his nomadic life. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"I'm kind of a nomad: I travel anywhere I can, sleeping away from civilization in my sleeping bag. My only issue is that my smartphone needs a recharge every two days. What I need, is an external battery pack that can give me a week's worth of juice -- but can I get a lightweight one that costs under $70? Many Thanks!"
This is going to be a tough one, we know -- our first thought was toward a Powerbag with a 6000mAh battery, but that costs $170, more than twice our man's budget. Is there something cheaper you could suggest to our nomadic friend that'll enable him to stay off the grid long enough to become a modern day Grizzly Adams? All we ask for is a comment, and your knowledge to steer it by.

Ask Engadget: best sub-$70 smartphone battery pack? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AEAsk EngadgetAskEngadgetBatteriesBattery PackBatteryPackPortablePowerPowerbagRechargingSat, 07 Jan 2012 22:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Device warns of catastrophic failure in lithium-ion batteries, robots celebrate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/24/device-warns-of-catastrophic-failure-in-lithium-ion-batteries-r/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/24/device-warns-of-catastrophic-failure-in-lithium-ion-batteries-r/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/24/device-warns-of-catastrophic-failure-in-lithium-ion-batteries-r/#comments
"Catastrophic lithium-ion battery failure" are five words Malfunctioning Eddie never wants to hear, and may not have to, thanks to a new sensor developed by the folks at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Despite the popularity of lithium-ion batteries in everything from consumer electronics to hybrid and electric vehicles, they have been associated with a phenomenon called "thermal runaway" -- known to cause overheating and potentially, fire. The newly developed device measures the electrical parameter of the cell, which is an indicator of whether the internal layer temperatures are getting too toasty. The best part? The warning comes before the heat can reach the surface and cause catastrophic failure, perhaps saving our electronics from a fate like the one in the video after the break.

Continue reading Device warns of catastrophic failure in lithium-ion batteries, robots celebrate

Device warns of catastrophic failure in lithium-ion batteries, robots celebrate originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesconsumer electronicsConsumerElectronicselectric vehicleselectrical vehiclesElectricalVehiclesElectricVehicleselectrodeselectrolytesenergyheatJohn Hopkins University Applied Physics LaboratoryJohnHopkinsUniversityAppliedPhysicsLaboratoryjohns hopkinsJohnsHopkinsLithium Ionlithium ion batteriesLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesthermal runawayThermalRunawayvideoSat, 24 Dec 2011 23:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Has James Bond gone green? Bulletproof electric roadster in the works]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/has-james-bond-gone-green-bulletproof-electric-roadster-in-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/has-james-bond-gone-green-bulletproof-electric-roadster-in-the/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/08/has-james-bond-gone-green-bulletproof-electric-roadster-in-the/#comments

Warding off assassins while saving the environment just became a cake walk with the Jo-Mojo, an upcoming creation by Lativian armored vehicle company DARTZ. This two seat convertible roadster brandishes an 80 horsepower electric engine capable of pushing zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph -- yet most of its "mojo" is outside the hood. Custom seating, color-changing chameleon paint finish, bulletproof tires, and others are just a few of the many "drooling" features. The sunroof is given a task with flexible solar panels built-in, good for juicing up the batteries while idle or on the go. Aimed to hit the market at the end of Q2 2012, its estimated price tag starts at 30,000 euros (~ $40,000), within range of most low-end luxury automobiles. Check past the break for a video slideshow of this snazzy piece of metal by Gray Designs, DARTZ's partner in the venture.

Continue reading Has James Bond gone green? Bulletproof electric roadster in the works

Has James Bond gone green? Bulletproof electric roadster in the works originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative energyAlternativeEnergyarmoredArmored carArmoredCarautomobileautomobilesbatteriesbatterybulletproofcarcarsConvertibleDARTZDartz KombatDartzKombatenvironmentenvironment protectionEnvironmentProtectionevGray DesignsGrayDesignsgreenhorsepowerjames bondJamesBondjo-mojomphprotectionroadstersolarsolar panelsolar panelssolar powersolar poweredSolarPanelSolarPanelsSolarPowerSolarPoweredsunrooftransportationvehiclevideoThu, 08 Dec 2011 05:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Dipping capacitors and batteries in nanotubes could improve capacity]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/dipping-capacitors-and-batteries-in-nanotubes-could-improve-capa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/dipping-capacitors-and-batteries-in-nanotubes-could-improve-capa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/06/dipping-capacitors-and-batteries-in-nanotubes-could-improve-capa/#commentsSuper capacitorsStanford researchers figured out that, by dipping electrodes for super capacitors in a solution of carbon nanotubes or a conductive polymer they could increase the charging capacity by up to 45-percent. The team started working with composite electrodes of graphene and manganese oxide, since manganese is cheap and plentiful, but were hamstrung by its low conductivity. The thin coating of more conductive material greatly boosted the capacitance of the electrodes, and thus their ability to hold a charge. Further tests are still required to find the actual energy density of the dipped electrodes, but lead researchers Yi Cui and Zhenan Bao are already working on a way to apply the same technique to batteries.

Dipping capacitors and batteries in nanotubes could improve capacity originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterycarbon nanotubesCarbonNanotubesconductive polymerConductivePolymerdippeddippinggrapheneresearchresearcherssciencestanfordstanford universityStanfordUniversitysuper capacitorSuperCapacitorultra capacitorUltraCapacitorThu, 06 Oct 2011 02:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Evolta robot to take on the Ironman Triathlon, conquer the course in a week]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/17/evolta-robot-to-take-on-the-ironman-triathlon-conquer-the-cours/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/17/evolta-robot-to-take-on-the-ironman-triathlon-conquer-the-cours/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/17/evolta-robot-to-take-on-the-ironman-triathlon-conquer-the-cours/#comments Panasonic's little battery-powered bot that could, the Evolta, has garnered our attention several times over the years. It's already climbed out of the Grand Canyon and walked 500km from Tokyo to Kyoto, but apparently neither was enough to prove it and its namesake batteries' true mettle. This time, Panasonic's putting three of the robots through the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii, and they've got a week to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112, and run a 26.2 mile marathon. Unlike the meatbags running the race who have a day to finish, the robots get a week -- though they'll be doing their thing 24 hours a day while only taking breaks to recharge their three AA batteries. Intrigued? The race starts on October 23rd, so there's plenty of time to watch the appropriately dramatic video explaining the challenge facing the triumvirate of tiny triathletes after the break.

Continue reading Evolta robot to take on the Ironman Triathlon, conquer the course in a week

Evolta robot to take on the Ironman Triathlon, conquer the course in a week originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryevoltahawaiiironman triathlonIronmanTriathlonpanasonicpanasonic evoltaPanasonicEvoltarechargeablerechargeable batteryRechargeableBatteryrobotrobotsvideoSat, 17 Sep 2011 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[New 'subconscious mode' could improve smartphone battery life, supress your WiFi id]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/new-subconscious-mode-could-improve-smartphone-battery-life-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/new-subconscious-mode-could-improve-smartphone-battery-life-s/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/new-subconscious-mode-could-improve-smartphone-battery-life-s/#commentsKang ShinResearchers at the University of Michigan have figured out a way to drastically increase your cellphone's battery life, at least while using WiFi. By using what they're calling E-MiLi, or Energy-Minimizing Idle Listening, professor Kang Shin (right) and student Xinyu Zhang have developed a proof of concept that could extend battery life up to 54-percent with the WiFi radio on. Even when idle, a wireless radio is actively checking for incoming traffic. E-MiLi scales back the wireless card's clock to just 1/16th of its normal operating speed, and only kicks back into full gear when it senses incoming data. To be really useful though, we'd love to see the same trick employed on cellular data networks -- that LTE sure is fast, but it's not exactly battery-friendly. Check out the PR after the break.

Continue reading New 'subconscious mode' could improve smartphone battery life, supress your WiFi id

New 'subconscious mode' could improve smartphone battery life, supress your WiFi id originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryE-MiLiEnergy-Minimizing Idle ListeningEnergy-minimizingIdleListeningKang ShinKangShinuniversity of michiganUniversityOfMichiganwifiwirelessXinyu ZhangXinyuZhangFri, 16 Sep 2011 00:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Leeds researchers tout gel-based batteries as better, safer and cheaper]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/leeds-researchers-tout-gel-based-batteries-as-better-safer-and/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/leeds-researchers-tout-gel-based-batteries-as-better-safer-and/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/leeds-researchers-tout-gel-based-batteries-as-better-safer-and/#comments They're some fairly bold claims, but a team of researchers at the University of Leeds say they've managed to develop a new type of polymer gel that could lead to batteries that are safer, cheaper to manufacture and more flexible than traditional lithium-ion batteries. That last detail could have some particularly interesting consequences, as the researchers say it allows for batteries that can "shaped and bent to fit the geometries of virtually any device." What's more, all of that apparently comes with no compromise in performance, and the team has already licensed the technology to Polystor Energy Corporation, which is now conducting trials to commercialize the battery cells. The only catch is that there's not so much as a hint as to when such batteries might actually be available.

Leeds researchers tout gel-based batteries as better, safer and cheaper originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterygeljellyleedsmobilepostcrosspolymerpolystorPolystor Energy CorporationPolystorEnergyCorporationresearchuniversity of leedsUniversityOfLeedsTue, 13 Sep 2011 01:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Nichicon lays claim to the world's smallest EV chargers with NGQ-202, NGQ-203 models]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/nichicon-lays-claim-to-the-worlds-smallest-ev-chargers-with-ngq/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/nichicon-lays-claim-to-the-worlds-smallest-ev-chargers-with-ngq/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/28/nichicon-lays-claim-to-the-worlds-smallest-ev-chargers-with-ngq/#comments Although it'll still be hard to misplace in your pile of electronics, a company called Nichicon has launched what it says is the world's smallest chargers for electric vehicles, the NGQ-A202 and the NGQ-A302. By using what the company calls advanced module technology, it was able to shrink its EV charger down by 50 percent to around 59 x 13.8 x 23.6 inches, also reducing the weight by up to 66 percent. Compatible with the ChAdeMO standard, these 20-30kW chargers will work with electric vehicles like Mitsubishi's i-MiEV and the Nissan Leaf, taking between 35 and 60 minutes to fully power your whip. Charging doesn't come cheap, however, as the batteries are said to retail between $24,600 and $27,000 when they launch sometime in October. Next step -- cutting the cord and going wireless, perhaps? Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Nichicon lays claim to the world's smallest EV chargers with NGQ-202, NGQ-203 models

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Nichicon lays claim to the world's smallest EV chargers with NGQ-202, NGQ-203 models originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 06:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterychademochademo standardChademoStandardelectric vehicleelectric vehiclesElectricVehicleElectricVehiclesEVmistubishi i-mievNGQ-A202NGQ-A203nichiconNissan Leafnissan leaf evNissanLeafNissanLeafEvSun, 28 Aug 2011 06:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers use graphene and tin sandwich to make better battery electrodes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/researchers-use-graphene-and-tin-sandwich-to-make-better-battery/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/researchers-use-graphene-and-tin-sandwich-to-make-better-battery/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/03/researchers-use-graphene-and-tin-sandwich-to-make-better-battery/#comments Graphene, that microscopic chicken wire made of carbon atoms, has a great many theoretical uses. Among these is to improve Lithium-ion battery technologies, and the big brains at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have created a graphene and tin composite material for use in battery electrodes. When it's baked at 572 degrees Fahrenheit (300 degrees Celsius) the tin turns into nanopillars that widen the gap between the graphene layers. The greater volume of tin provided by these tiny towers improves electrode performance (read: faster charging), and the flexibility of the graphene prevents electrode degradation. Naturally, current prototypes can only maintain capacity over 30 charge cycles -- as opposed to the hundreds required for commercial applications -- so some serious improvement has to happen before we see it strut its stuff in any phones or EVs. This leaves us, once again, extolling the virtues of graphene, but lamenting its exclusively academic application.

Continue reading Researchers use graphene and tin sandwich to make better battery electrodes

Researchers use graphene and tin sandwich to make better battery electrodes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryberkeley labBerkeleyLabelectrodeelectrodesgrapheneLawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryLawrenceBerkeleyNationalLaboratoryli-ionli-ion batteryLi-ionBatterylithium ionlithium ion batterieslithium ion batterylithium-ionLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesLithiumIonBatterypowerpower sourcePowerSourcerechargeablerechargeable batteryRechargeableBatteryresearchscienceWed, 03 Aug 2011 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Stanford researchers create transparent battery, dream of a see-through iPhone (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/stanford-researchers-create-transparent-battery-dream-of-a-see/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/stanford-researchers-create-transparent-battery-dream-of-a-see/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/26/stanford-researchers-create-transparent-battery-dream-of-a-see/#comments Yuan Yang and a Transparent Battery We've had about all of the transparent displays we can handle. Besides, what good is a screen you can see through if the electronics behind it are as opaque as ever? Thankfully, the fine folks at Stanford are working hard to move us towards a future filled with invisible gadgets. Yi Cui and Yuan Yang led a team that have created a lithium-ion battery that appears transparent. In actuality, the cells are composed of a very fine mesh of electrodes, approximately 35-microns wide, that are small enough to appear invisible to the naked eye. The resulting power packs are cheap and flexible but, currently, can only store about half as much energy as a traditional Li-ion battery. Cui has a particular destination in mind for creation, as he told the college paper, "I want to talk to Steve Jobs about this. I want a transparent iPhone!" Check out the video after the break.

Continue reading Stanford researchers create transparent battery, dream of a see-through iPhone (video)

Stanford researchers create transparent battery, dream of a see-through iPhone (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryLi-IonLi-Ion BatteryLi-ionBatteryLithium IonLithium-Ionlithium-ion batterieslithium-ion batteryLithium-ionBatteriesLithium-ionBatteryLithiumIonresearchsciencestanfordstanford universityStanfordUniversitytransparenttransparent batteriestransparent batteryTransparentBatteriesTransparentBatteryvideoyi cuiYiCuiyuan yangYuanYangTue, 26 Jul 2011 12:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony eyes electric car future, wants to soon sell you Li-ion batteries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/sony-eyes-electric-car-future-wants-to-soon-sell-you-li-ion-bat/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/sony-eyes-electric-car-future-wants-to-soon-sell-you-li-ion-bat/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/13/sony-eyes-electric-car-future-wants-to-soon-sell-you-li-ion-bat/#commentsSony must be smelling dolla dolla bills in the EV-charged streets because the company just announced its intentions to fab lithium-ion batteries for the cars mid-decade. The statement, made from its plant in Motomiya, hinges on a future market flush with consumer demand for the earth-friendly autos, and could see the construction of several dedicated factories. Given the Japanese company's recent history eating bits of competitor dust (hello Wii and iPod), we understand its forward-facing desire to become king of this Li-ion hill. But the mega-electronics maker isn't placing all of its batteries in one fuel-source just yet -- it's "also [considering] developing batteries for gasoline-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids" -- should they win the green energy popularity contest. While we applaud the company for encouraging adoption of the environmentally-friendlier tech, we'd much rather see them make batteries for this bad boy from tomorrowland.

Sony eyes electric car future, wants to soon sell you Li-ion batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesElectric carelectric carselectric vehicleElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehicleEVfabricationSonySony electric vehiclesSony EVSony Li-ion batteriesSonyElectricVehiclesSonyEvSonyLi-ionBatteriesWed, 13 Jul 2011 20:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Denmark lands Europe's first Better Place EV battery swapping station]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/01/denmark-lands-europes-first-better-place-ev-battery-swapping-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/01/denmark-lands-europes-first-better-place-ev-battery-swapping-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/01/denmark-lands-europes-first-better-place-ev-battery-swapping-st/#comments Denmark lands Europe's first Better Place EV battery swapping station Better Place continued on its quest of global EV-battery-switching domination, Tuesday, bringing its special drop-and-swap charging solution to the fine folks of Gladsaxe, Denmark. An automated robot arm ceremoniously traded out the battery in a Renault Fluence Z.E., marking the beginning of a nine-month roll out across the country. The aptly titled Battery Switch station is the first of its kind in Europe and the first of 20 to be installed in Denmark. It was a monumental occasion, to be sure, one that could have only benefited from a performance of Michael Jackson's Heal the World as sung by Danish humanoid (and ladies' man) Geminoid-DK. Full PR after the break.

[Thanks, Tesoo]

Continue reading Denmark lands Europe's first Better Place EV battery swapping station

Denmark lands Europe's first Better Place EV battery swapping station originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 07:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterybattery swapbattery swappingbattery switching stationBatterySwapBatterySwappingBatterySwitchingStationbetter placeBetterPlacedenmarkelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevev batteryEvBatteryfluencefluence zeFluenceZerenaultrenault fluence z.e.renault fluence zeRenaultFluenceZ.e.RenaultFluenceZeswitching stationSwitchingStationFri, 01 Jul 2011 07:39:00 EST<![CDATA[SEI creates new porous Aluminum-Celmet, makes rechargeable batteries last longer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/sei-creates-new-porous-aluminum-celmet-makes-rechargeable-batte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/sei-creates-new-porous-aluminum-celmet-makes-rechargeable-batte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/28/sei-creates-new-porous-aluminum-celmet-makes-rechargeable-batte/#comments Quick: What costs hundreds of dollars and dies after four hours? If your answer included anything portable and tech-based -- you guessed right. In fact, most of our magical and exciting gadgetry has less-than-stellar means of holding a charge, but a recent breakthrough by Sumitomo Electric Industries could change all that. Employing the same process used to create Celmet (a NiMH component), researchers at the R&D company managed to coax aluminum into being a bit more receptive. The resulting Aluminum-Celmet has a whopping 98 percent porosity rate, leaving the Li-ion gate wide-open for a flood of electrical juice. And unlike its nickel-based brother, this piece de porous non-resistance has a steep corrosive threshold that could soon help power a line of high-capacity, small form rechargeable batteries. Production is already underway at Osaka Works, with SEI hoping to speed adoption of these franken-batts into our mass consuming mitts. Technical-jargony PR release after the break.

Continue reading SEI creates new porous Aluminum-Celmet, makes rechargeable batteries last longer

SEI creates new porous Aluminum-Celmet, makes rechargeable batteries last longer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aluminum CelmetAluminumCelmetbatteriesCelmetelectrical chargeElectricalChargeLi-ionli-ion batteriesLi-Ion BatteryLi-ionBatteriesLi-ionBatteryNiMHrechargeableRechargeable batteriesrechargeable batteryRechargeableBatteriesRechargeableBatterySEISumitomoSumitomo Electric IndustriesSumitomoElectricIndustriesTue, 28 Jun 2011 17:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Toshiba SCiB to be used in Mitsubishi i-MiEV, recharge to 80 percent in just 15 minutes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/toshiba-scib-to-be-used-in-mitsubishi-i-miev-recharge-to-80-per/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/toshiba-scib-to-be-used-in-mitsubishi-i-miev-recharge-to-80-per/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/toshiba-scib-to-be-used-in-mitsubishi-i-miev-recharge-to-80-per/#comments Toshiba's SCiB (Super Charge Ion Battery) technology has long been the source of great hope and anticipation in electronics circles, but it's never quite delivered the world-changing retail products that its marketing promised. Hoping to correct that in a big way, the company's now hooked up with Mitsubishi to distribute said fast-charging cells in the taxman-friendly i-MiEV (to be known as Mitsubishi i in the US) and its taxi variant, the MINICAB-MiEV. How fast-charging, you ask? We're told recharging will be done in 15 minutes for 80 percent, 10 minutes for 50 percent, and a mere 300 seconds for 25 percent. You'll need a CHAdeMO charger to achieve such rapid revitalization rates, but those stations are sprouting up across the US now. There are other favorable qualities to Toshiba's batteries, including "excellent charging and output" under very low temperatures, 2.5 times the number of charge / discharge cycles of regular lithium ion cells, and safer operation than most other alternatives. Check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Toshiba SCiB to be used in Mitsubishi i-MiEV, recharge to 80 percent in just 15 minutes

Toshiba SCiB to be used in Mitsubishi i-MiEV, recharge to 80 percent in just 15 minutes originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterycarcarschademochargingelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleevfast chargingFastChargingi mievi-mievIMievlithium ionLithiumIonmitsubishipartnershiprechargerechargingscibsuper charge ion batterySuperChargeIonBatterytoshibaThu, 16 Jun 2011 04:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar train tunnels, refillable battery goop, and the world's first 3D-printed bikini]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/12/inhabitats-week-in-green-solar-train-tunnels-refillable-batte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/12/inhabitats-week-in-green-solar-train-tunnels-refillable-batte/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/12/inhabitats-week-in-green-solar-train-tunnels-refillable-batte/#commentsEach week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.


This week green transportation left fossil fuels in the dust as Inhabitat reported that a record-breaking electric VW Bug rocketed from 0-60 in 1.6 seconds and Team Steam unveiled a space age vehicle that is vying for the title of "fastest steam car on earth." We also spotted the world's first natural gas-powered supercar, while a team of Cambridge students unveiled a sleek solar racer that will attempt to travel 1,800 miles in the World Solar Challenge. Oil fuels also lost more luster as GM's CEO called for a $1 gas tax increase in the US, while MIT unveiled a new type of liquid flow battery that could refuel electric vehicles in a snap.

As the summer sun hits its stride groundbreaking solar power projects are lighting up left and right - this week Google unveiled a new solar patent that could make solar energy cheaper than coal, while QSolar rolled out an array of rainbow-hued Kristal panels that can replace windows and walls. Photovoltaic gadgets also had their moment in the sun as Pixel Qi pulled back the curtain on a cheap, efficient solar-powered tablet and a wave and sun-powered seafaring robot received $22 million in funding.

Speaking of solar power, this week we applauded the opening of a two-mile-long photovoltaic train tunnel that will provide power to the Paris-Amsterdam high-speed rail line. We were also wowed by Steve Jobs' vision for Apple's new spaceship-shaped clean energy campus, and our Bright Ideas Lighting Design Competition is really heating up, so be sure to vote for your favorite green lamp before the contest ends next week. Finally, we shared 6 great green Father's Day gifts for tech-savvy dads, and as summer gets set to begin we brought you exclusive photos of the recently opened section 2 of New York's High Line park, a beautiful suspended swimmer's oasis in Denmark, and the world's first 3D-printed bikini.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar train tunnels, refillable battery goop, and the world's first 3D-printed bikini originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterybikiniGMInhabitatinhabitats week in greenInhabitatsWeekInGreenKristalliquid flowliquid flow batteryLiquidFlowLiquidFlowBatteryMITnatural gasNaturalGasPixel QiPixelQiQSolarsolarsolar powerSolarPowersteamtaxtraintrainsWeek in GreenWeekInGreenworld solar challengeWorldSolarChallengeSun, 12 Jun 2011 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Bird Electron EP-15V charges your MacBook Air from eight C-type batteries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bird-electron-ep-15v-charges-your-macbook-air-from-eight-c-type/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bird-electron-ep-15v-charges-your-macbook-air-from-eight-c-type/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/bird-electron-ep-15v-charges-your-macbook-air-from-eight-c-type/#comments Remember those thick C-type batteries you used to toss in your flashlights before the age of LEDs? Well, they're not likely to overtake the disposable battery market anytime soon, but they did just become slightly more useful to a very select number of Japanese MacBook Air owners. The EP-15V from Bird Electron will bridge eight of those C batts to create a 12-volt power source, giving your 11.6-inch MacBook Air a two-hour boost when used with standard alkaline batteries. The charger was released today in Japan, and will initially sell for ¥19,800 (about $250), not including batteries or the requisite MagSafe Airline Adapter (¥5,800, or about $75 in Japan). The EP-15V isn't likely to be the most practical option, considering its cost, size, weight (2.3 pounds, or just over 1 kilogram -- before you add batts), and the fact that you'll need access to an adapter and eight batteries, which you'll be tossing after just two hours of use. But if you find yourself in a remote village with a hearty C-type battery supply and no electricity or access to the sun, then you might just regret not picking one up.

Bird Electron EP-15V charges your MacBook Air from eight C-type batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessoryappleapple macbookAppleMacbookbatteriesbatterybattery chargerBatteryChargerc batteryCBatterychargerchargingmacbookmacbook airmacbook air chargermacbook chargerMacbookAirMacbookAirChargerMacbookChargerportable chargerPortableChargerFri, 10 Jun 2011 05:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo expands Eneloop battery offerings with Pro for more power, Plus for less heat]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/sanyo-expands-eneloop-battery-offerings-with-pro-for-more-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/sanyo-expands-eneloop-battery-offerings-with-pro-for-more-power/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/10/sanyo-expands-eneloop-battery-offerings-with-pro-for-more-power/#comments If you love Sanyo's ever-so-practical Eneloop rechargeable batteries, you'll be smitten with its two latest AA additions. First into the battery compartment is the 2400mAh Eneloop Pro; it's loaded with twenty-five percent more juice than the standard model, and is a perfect match for your power-draining Nikon Speedlight -- not quite as formidable as the 2,500mAh XX series, though. Moving onto the next slot is the Eneloop Plus, which adds a positive temperature coefficient thermistor -- a resistor that prevents the batts from reaching skin-scorching heat levels in kids' toys. Blazing Hello Kitty anyone? Both will come in packs of two or four, and also as bundles with a charger. Residents of Japan will be able to pick up the batteries at varying points this year, but aside from the ¥1,260 (about $15) Pro two-pack, pricing remains open. If your heart's beating like the pink bunny's drum, check out the source link below for the details and some fancy infographics.

Sanyo expands Eneloop battery offerings with Pro for more power, Plus for less heat originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2400mahaa batteriesaa batteryAaBatteriesAaBatterybatteriesbatteryeneloopeneloop pluseneloop proEneloopPlusEneloopPromahnimhpanasonicplusproptcrechargable batteryRechargableBatteryrechargeablesanyosanyo eneloopSanyoEneloopthermistorFri, 10 Jun 2011 02:05:00 EST<![CDATA[New 'semi-solid' battery could recharge EVs as fast as pumping gas]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/new-semi-solid-battery-for-evs-could-recharge-as-fast-as-pumpi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/new-semi-solid-battery-for-evs-could-recharge-as-fast-as-pumpi/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/08/new-semi-solid-battery-for-evs-could-recharge-as-fast-as-pumpi/#comments Researchers at MIT reckon they've struck oil. In fact, you're looking at what they call "Cambridge crude" -- a substance that could halve the weight and cost of EV batteries and make them quicker to charge too. The black goo is packed with a high concentration of energy in the form of particles suspended in a liquid electrolyte. When separated by a filter, these particles function as mobile electrodes that can be pumped into and around a system before the energy is released. So instead of waiting up to 20 hours to juice your Nissan Leaf, you could potentially just pump this pre-charged substance into it -- rather like dirty old gas. Until now, no such "semi-solid flow cell" has been able to hold useful quantities of energy, but this stuff literally oozes with it. Not only could it power EVs, it could even be used for large-scale electricity storage for utilities. The researchers insist this energy revolution is years off -- but when it comes, there will be blood.

New 'semi-solid' battery could recharge EVs as fast as pumping gas originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterychemical engineeringChemicalEngineeringdischargeelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarelectricityElectricVehicleelectrodeelectrodesenergyenergy storageEnergyStorageEVgaslithium batterieslithium batteryLithium IonLithiumBatteriesLithiumBatteryLithiumIonmassachusetts institute of technologyMassachusettsInstituteOfTechnologyMIToilpetrolpetroleumpowerWed, 08 Jun 2011 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[HP expands laptop battery recall, doesn't want you to feel the burn]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/28/hp-expands-laptop-battery-recall-doesnt-want-you-to-feel-the-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/28/hp-expands-laptop-battery-recall-doesnt-want-you-to-feel-the-b/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/28/hp-expands-laptop-battery-recall-doesnt-want-you-to-feel-the-b/#comments
HP wants to make sure you don't get burned, literally. For the third May in a row, it's issuing another expansion of its voluntary battery recall on laptops produced from July 2007 to May 2008 -- frankly, we're considering a holiday to mark the occasion. May 2009 saw a recall of 70,000 batteries followed by an expansion to cover 15,000 in China, totaling 85,000 affected laptops. It didn't end there though, as further expansion was put in place during May 2010 to cover even more models, and this time around, a sizeable number of lappies have been added to the ever-growing list. About five percent of the models from the aforementioned time frame could have problematic batteries, and HP will be providing replacements for those at risk of getting a little too hot under the collar. If your machine was also part of the previous recalls, HP's saying those should be verified as well, even if you've done so in the past already. The full grid of affected laptops can be perused after the break -- Memorial Day weekend will be full of grilling, but we wouldn't want that to include your skin, okay?

Continue reading HP expands laptop battery recall, doesn't want you to feel the burn

HP expands laptop battery recall, doesn't want you to feel the burn originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 May 2011 00:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterycompaqcompaq presarioCompaqPresariohphp pavilionHpPavilionlaptoppavilionpresariorecallrecall expansionRecallExpansionSat, 28 May 2011 00:24:00 EST<![CDATA[ST-Ericsson's PM2300 will charge smartphones and tablets twice as fast, speeding to market this fall]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/st-ericssons-pm2300-will-charge-smartphones-and-tablets-twice-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/st-ericssons-pm2300-will-charge-smartphones-and-tablets-twice-a/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/24/st-ericssons-pm2300-will-charge-smartphones-and-tablets-twice-a/#comments We can't say the methods for charging mobile devices have been top of our agenda lately, but when you're talking about speeding anything up by 100 percent, our interest is inevitably piqued. ST-Ericsson has come up with a new charger, tailored specifically for servicing tablets and mobile phones, that can juice them up at the brisk rate of 3 Amps. Efficiency is touted all over the place with this accessory, from the 60 percent improvement in PCB utilization to the 92 percent maximum power throughput rating, bringing the drably titled PM2300 dangerously close to a state of desirability. Best of all, tablets featuring its promised double-speed refilling capabilities are expected in the fall of this year, so the wait won't be long, however you look at it.

[Thanks, Ola]

ST-Ericsson's PM2300 will charge smartphones and tablets twice as fast, speeding to market this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amperagebatteriesbatterychargerchargerschargingcurrentefficiencyefficientfastfast chargerFastChargerhigh currentHighCurrentpm2300powerpower managementpowerhubPowerManagementst-ericssonst-ericsson pm2300St-ericssonPm2300Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Flexible batteries get the graphene treatment, could be cheaper than other bendy batts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/flexible-batteries-get-the-graphene-treatment-could-be-cheaper/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/flexible-batteries-get-the-graphene-treatment-could-be-cheaper/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/02/flexible-batteries-get-the-graphene-treatment-could-be-cheaper/#commentsWe've been talking about flexible batteries for years now, but a team of Korean researchers have presented a new solution to bendable energy sources that is not only more powerful than standard lithium-ion batteries, but also potentially cheaper to produce than its malleable predecessors -- and unsurprisingly, everyone's favorite wonder material, graphene, is at the heart of the innovation. The rechargeable battery contains a vanadium-oxide cathode, grown on a sheet of graphene paper, an unidentified separator, and an anode made of lithium-coated graphene. According to the folks behind the new power source, it sports higher energy and power density, as well as a better cycle life than the literally stiff competition. Similar advances have also out-performed rigid lithium-ion batteries, but have enlisted carbon nanotubes, a material more expensive to produce than graphene. Of course, like all technological advances, we won't be seeing these things for years, if not decades, so you might as well get used to ye olde standard bearer.

Flexible batteries get the graphene treatment, could be cheaper than other bendy batts originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterybendablebendable batteryBendableBatteryflexibleflexible batteryFlexibleBatterygrapheneGraphene sheetGrapheneSheetionKorea Advanced Institute of Science and TechnologyKoreaAdvancedInstituteOfScienceAndTechnologylithiumlithium ionlithium-ionlithium-ion batteryLithium-ionBatteryLithiumIonpowerpower sourcePowerSourcerechargeablerechargeable batteryRechargeableBatterysheetWed, 02 Mar 2011 01:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple patent application points to denser batteries, improved charging technique]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/apple-patent-application-points-to-denser-batteries-improved-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/apple-patent-application-points-to-denser-batteries-improved-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/20/apple-patent-application-points-to-denser-batteries-improved-ch/#comments Some might think a ten-hour Macbook battery mighty fine, but we're happy to say that Cupertino's not quite satisfied. AppleInsider spotted a pair of Apple patent applications detailing a improved way of juicing up those lithium-polymer cells, which should greatly increase the number of recharge cycles they can endure -- or, optionally, allow Apple to use denser batteries that last longer on a charge. We'll break it down for you: the graph in the upper-left shows how Li-ion batteries currently charge, first very rapidly (constant current, increasing voltage) and then more slowly (constant voltage, decreasing current) to top the cells off.

What Apple's proposing is the multi-step method depicted on the right, where current and voltage trade off, to charge the battery while being far less harsh on the physical chemistry of the electrodes inside. As you can see in the bottom graph, the multi-step CC-CV cells lose much less of their potential after 300 recharge cycles, but that's not all Apple's cooking up -- the company figures that it can increase the thickness of the electrodes to improve battery life (by as much as 28Wh/L, according to one chart) without negative effect thanks to the softer charge. Sure, we'd rather have plant-eating graphene supercapcitors, but this sounds like a plan for now.

Apple patent application points to denser batteries, improved charging technique originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebatteriesbatterybattery lifeBatteryLifechargingcurrentelectricityli-ionlithium ionlithium polymerlithium-ionLithiumIonLithiumPolymermulti-step chargingMulti-stepChargingpatentpatent apppatent applicationPatentAppPatentApplicationpatentsvoltageSun, 20 Feb 2011 15:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Diamond shaped supercapacitors could result in faster-charging, higher capacity batteries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/diamond-shaped-supercapacitors-could-result-in-faster-charging/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/diamond-shaped-supercapacitors-could-result-in-faster-charging/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/27/diamond-shaped-supercapacitors-could-result-in-faster-charging/#commentsDiamond shaped supercapacitors could result in faster-charging, higher capacity batteries Superconductors pass electricity with zero resistance and make stuff float. Superfluids have zero viscosity and can climb vertical walls to escape containers. Supercapacitors? Well, they don't do anything quite so dramatic, but they could result in batteries that charge faster and hold more charge than ever. Capacitors in general have to run a balance between capacity and fast charging, but these fancy ones with diamond-shaped nanopores in zeolite-templated carbon, developed at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, are said to offer the best of both worlds. How good? Cellphones that charge in minutes, electric cars with longer lasting batteries, and free Superman Underoos for all. Naturally there's no word on when these things might actually escape the lab and show up in real batteries, but you already knew that, didn't you.

Diamond shaped supercapacitors could result in faster-charging, higher capacity batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterycapacitorcarbonelectric vehiclesElectricVehiclesevjapannanoporesendaisupercapacitorytohoku universityTohokuUniversityThu, 27 Jan 2011 20:16:00 EST<![CDATA[China nationalizes eleven rare earth mines for environmental and strategic reasons]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/china-nationalizes-eleven-rare-earth-mines-for-environmental-and/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/china-nationalizes-eleven-rare-earth-mines-for-environmental-and/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/china-nationalizes-eleven-rare-earth-mines-for-environmental-and/#comments Most of our favorite gadgets are constructed with parts made of rare earth minerals, and as many of you already know, China produces the lion's share of the stuff. So news that Hu Jintao and company recently took control of 11 rare earth mines in order to more tightly manage the mines' production is of great interest to hi-tech companies and consumers the world over -- and could mean your next hybrid, smartphone, or PC just got a bit more expensive. The Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources indicates that nationalization of the facilities was prompted by illegal strip mining and dumping of toxic tailings in nearby waterways, but given China's pledge to reduce rare earth exports by ten percent this year, it seems likely that the move isn't entirely driven by environmental concerns. Consumers needn't worry too much, however, as Japan and the US are currently searching for ways to break China's monopoly on rare earths and keep us flush in affordable flat-screen TVs and hybrid cars for years to come.

China nationalizes eleven rare earth mines for environmental and strategic reasons originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterychinachina ministry of land and resourcesChinaMinistryOfLandAndResourceselementelementsgeologymetalmetalsmineralmineralsrare earthrare earth elementsrare earth metalsrare earth mineralsrare earth miningrare earthsRareEarthRareEarthElementsRareEarthMetalsRareEarthMineralsRareEarthMiningRareEarthsFri, 21 Jan 2011 21:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota working on magnesium batteries for PHEVs of the not so near future]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/toyota-working-on-magnesium-batteries-for-phevs-of-the-not-so-ne/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/toyota-working-on-magnesium-batteries-for-phevs-of-the-not-so-ne/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/toyota-working-on-magnesium-batteries-for-phevs-of-the-not-so-ne/#comments Toyota wants to take your range anxiety out for a walk behind the woodshed and obliterate it from the known world. The means for doing this, the Japanese giant has revealed, might very well be contained in its new magnesium-sulfur batteries, which promise to double the energy density of the current industry-best lithium ion cells. Of course, the catch here is that the new magnesium goodness is nowhere near ready and is projected to come in 2020 at the earliest, but we're gladdened to see a long-term view being taken by car manufacturers with regard to powering vehicles electrically. Alternative methodologies currently under review in Toyota's labs also include aluminum and calcium materials, showing that there is indeed no lack of ambition for making plug-ins respectable road warriors.

Toyota working on magnesium batteries for PHEVs of the not so near future originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2020batteriesbatterybattery technologyBatteryTechnologycarchemistrydevelopmentelectricelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleenergyenergy storageEnergyStorageengineeringevfuturemagnesiummagnesium-sulfurphevplansplug-inresearchroadmapschedulesulfurFri, 14 Jan 2011 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanyo: we've shipped more than 150 million Eneloop rechargeable batteries]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/sanyo-weve-shipped-more-than-150-million-eneloop-rechargeable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/sanyo-weve-shipped-more-than-150-million-eneloop-rechargeable/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/sanyo-weve-shipped-more-than-150-million-eneloop-rechargeable/#comments
 Sanyo has announced that as of the end of 2010, it had officially shipped more than 150 million rechargeable Eneloop batteries. The company now ships the batteries -- which can be recharged up to 1,500 times -- to more than 60 countries. We reviewed Sanyo's rechargeable offering alongside another battery a few months back, which you can check out if you'd like. Other than that: the full press release is after the break.

Continue reading Sanyo: we've shipped more than 150 million Eneloop rechargeable batteries

Sanyo: we've shipped more than 150 million Eneloop rechargeable batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterychargingenelooprechargeablebatteriesrecyclablerecyclingsanyoThu, 06 Jan 2011 11:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: rechargeable batteries are a vintage gadget's Achilles' heel]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/editorial-rechargeable-batteries-are-a-vintage-gadgets-achille/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/editorial-rechargeable-batteries-are-a-vintage-gadgets-achille/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/28/editorial-rechargeable-batteries-are-a-vintage-gadgets-achille/#comments One of my favorite activities around the holidays is visiting my ever-growing collection of discontinued (and often hilariously outdated) mobile hardware that I keep in storage. It's an annual tradition for me -- an opportunity to pull stuff out of the box, make sure all the devices, accessories, and documentation are insect- and vermin-free, clean the battery contacts, blow off a years' worth of dust, and generally check that everything's in good working order. Let me tell you, I feel like a kid in a candy store each and every time I pull out and open those bins. I'll know that when I stop feeling that way, it's time to sell off the collection -- but for now, it's still every bit as exciting as when I started buying random gadgets from my childhood a decade ago.

On the surface, you might assume that electronics are timeless. They're made of materials that are designed for daily use and abuse, after all, and it'd be easy to think that a gadget left in storage -- unused -- would remain in exactly the same condition as the day you left it. I've learned the hard way, though, that the reality is a little more unpleasant: plastics seem to dry out and become brittle as the years go by, and things start cracking and shattering. Boxes and packaging degrade, almost as if they're recycling themselves whether you like it or not. And batteries -- particularly alkalines -- will leak all over the place, eating through circuitry and oxidizing contacts beyond repair.

Continue reading Editorial: rechargeable batteries are a vintage gadget's Achilles' heel

Editorial: rechargeable batteries are a vintage gadget's Achilles' heel originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryeditorialTue, 28 Dec 2010 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers find weak point in lithium-ion batteries, suggest better nanowires could be the answer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/researchers-find-weak-point-in-lithium-ion-batteries-suggest-be/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/researchers-find-weak-point-in-lithium-ion-batteries-suggest-be/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/17/researchers-find-weak-point-in-lithium-ion-batteries-suggest-be/#comments
We've seen countless attempts to build a better lithium-ion battery, but there's been far fewer research efforts devoted solely to figuring out why lithium-ion batteries don't last longer. A team of scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have been doing just that, however, and they're now sharing some of their findings. The main culprit, they say, are the nano-sized wires made of bulk tin oxide used in the batteries, which can expand and deform considerably over time, eventually rendering the battery useless. What's more, while the research was focused primarily on examining the cause of battery aging, the researchers do naturally have a few suggestions on how to improve them -- namely, to replace those wires made of bulk tin oxide with finer tin oxide nanowires. As lead scientist Chongmin Wang explains, that would effectively amount to winding together "thinner wires rather than making one thick rope," which is of course easier said than done. Head on past the break for the complete press release.

Continue reading Researchers find weak point in lithium-ion batteries, suggest better nanowires could be the answer

Researchers find weak point in lithium-ion batteries, suggest better nanowires could be the answer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatterylithiom-ionlithium ionlithium-ionLithiumIonnanonanowiresPacific Northwest National LaboratoryPacificNorthwestNationalLaboratoryPNNLresearchFri, 17 Dec 2010 09:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Think City electric vehicles delivered to Indiana government, Leslie Knope calls dibs on all of 'em]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/first-think-city-electric-vehicles-delivered-to-indiana-governme/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/first-think-city-electric-vehicles-delivered-to-indiana-governme/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/first-think-city-electric-vehicles-delivered-to-indiana-governme/#comments Headed to Pawnee, Indiana anytime soon? Don't lie, it's a place that survives in only two places: your mind, and NBC's studios. The only "Pawnee" in proximity of the Hoosier State lies in Illinois, but it's cool, we can still pretend. After hearing that Think was planning to hawk its City electric vehicle in the Big Apple this year, it looks as if Indiana's government will actually be first to acquire it. Fitting, though, given how Think's primarily manufacturing facility is parked in Elkhart, IN. The first 15 City EVs -- described by the company as "all-electric, zero-emission cars designed in Scandinavia for fleet applications and urban commuters" -- have hit the ground running, delivered to the Department of Administration to be used principally by the Department of Natural Resources in the state's park system. Naturally, Ron Swanson was at the ribbon-cutting ceremony with a mind to swipe one for his own personal use, but once he learned of Think's plans to finally roll out retail distribution in select US cities in the second half of 2011, his conscience got the better of him. Phew.

Continue reading First Think City electric vehicles delivered to Indiana government, Leslie Knope calls dibs on all of 'em

First Think City electric vehicles delivered to Indiana government, Leslie Knope calls dibs on all of 'em originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automobilebatteriesbatterycarcitydeliveryeco-friendlyelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleEVgreenindianali-ionproductionthinkThink CityThinkCityususavehicleThu, 16 Dec 2010 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[World's smallest battery uses a single nanowire, plant-eating virus could improve Li-ion cells tenfold]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/12/worlds-smallest-battery-uses-a-single-nanowire-plant-eating-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/12/worlds-smallest-battery-uses-a-single-nanowire-plant-eating-vi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/12/worlds-smallest-battery-uses-a-single-nanowire-plant-eating-vi/#comments When it comes to building better batteries, building electrodes with greater surface area is key, and scientists are looking to exotic methods to attract the tiny particles they need. We've already seen graphene and carbon nanotubes soak up those electrons, but the University of Maryland has another idea -- they're using the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) to generate usable patterns of nanorods on the surface of existing metal electrodes. By simply modifying the germ and letting it do its thing, then coating the surface with a conductive film, they're generating ten times the energy capacity of a standard lithium-ion battery while simultaneously rendering the nasty vegetarian bug inert.

Meanwhile, the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT) at Sandia Labs was more curious how these tiny charges actually work without confusing the forest for the trees, so to speak, so a team of scientists set about constructing the world's smallest battery. Using a single tin dioxide nanowire as anode, a chunk of lithium cobalt dioxide as cathode, and piping some liquid electrolyte in between, they took a microscopic video of the charging process. See it in all its grey, goopy glory right after the break.

Continue reading World's smallest battery uses a single nanowire, plant-eating virus could improve Li-ion cells tenfold

World's smallest battery uses a single nanowire, plant-eating virus could improve Li-ion cells tenfold originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryCenter for Integrated NanotechnologiesCenterForIntegratedNanotechnologiesCINTenergynanorodNanoRodsnanotechnologynanotubenanotubesnanowirenanowiresSandiasciencetobacco mosaic virusTobaccoMosaicVirusUniversity of MarylandUniversityOfMarylandvideovirusSun, 12 Dec 2010 10:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Graphene electrodes promise 5x energy storage boost for ultracapacitors]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/graphene-electrodes-promise-5x-energy-storage-boost-for-ultracap/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/graphene-electrodes-promise-5x-energy-storage-boost-for-ultracap/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/08/graphene-electrodes-promise-5x-energy-storage-boost-for-ultracap/#commentsGraphene. We hear of your achievements so often, but feel your benefits in our everyday lives so infrequently. We'd be remiss if we didn't point out how unhealthy of a relationship this is, but hopefully Bor Jang and co. have a mind to mend it all. Bor, along with a number of colleagues at Nanotek Instruments, have just uncovered a graphene advancement that could put conventional Li-ion cells in a world of hurt. Of course, we've been hearing about so-called "battery breakthroughs" for the better part of our lives, but few have involved progress with ultracapacitors. For those unaware, ultracapacitors are energy storage devices that can "absorb and release charge in minutes," and they're pegged as cheaper / safer alternatives to batteries for electric vehicles. The only problem? Mainstream versions today hold just five percent of the energy held by Li-ion batteries. Nanotek's crew has figured out that the use of graphene electrodes "could lead to ultracapacitors with more than five times the energy density of commercial devices," but as these things always go, no one's coming close to producing a hard release date. We'll just assume it's undergoing lab tests for now, and in 2022 we can all weep at what could've been. Prove us wrong, whiz kids.

Graphene electrodes promise 5x energy storage boost for ultracapacitors originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbor jangBorJangcarbonchargechargerchargingelectrodesenergyenergy storageEnergyStoragegrapheneinventionli-ionMITNanotek InstrumentsNanotekInstrumentsresearchscienceultracapacitorultracapacitorsuniversityWed, 08 Dec 2010 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Panasonic's Evolta robot finishes 500-kilometer trek ahead of schedule]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/26/panasonics-evolta-robot-finishes-500-kilometer-trek-ahead-of-sc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/26/panasonics-evolta-robot-finishes-500-kilometer-trek-ahead-of-sc/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/26/panasonics-evolta-robot-finishes-500-kilometer-trek-ahead-of-sc/#comments It may just be an elaborate stunt to promote batteries, but it's hard not to get a little caught up in Evolta's 500-kilometer trek from Tokyo to Kyoto, which finally came to an end this week after two months on the road -- ahead of schedule, no less. Aided by a team of "Evolta Sisters," the pint-sized robot hauled a dozen AA Evolta batteries in a cart the whole way, and guided itself by following an infrared signal from a device pushed in front of it -- a few other ground rules also allowed it to be carried up stairs, and the bot didn't walk at night or in the rain. Even still, 500 kilometers is 500 kilometers (or 317 miles, if you prefer), and that's a long way for any robot to walk. Head on past the break for a video recounting some of the journey.

Continue reading Panasonic's Evolta robot finishes 500-kilometer trek ahead of schedule

Panasonic's Evolta robot finishes 500-kilometer trek ahead of schedule originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteriesbatteryevoltajapanjourneykyotopanasonic evoltaPanasonicEvoltarobottokyotrekvideoFri, 26 Nov 2010 05:18:00 EST