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Korean carbon-coated lithium-ion battery could cut recharge times down to minutes

Jon Fingas — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:31:00 -0400

Anyone who's had to recharge an EV -- or, for that matter, any mobile device with a very big battery -- knows the pain of waiting for hours while a lithium-ion pack tops up. South Korea's Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology has developed a conduction technique that could cut that charging time down to less than a minute. By dousing the nanoparticle materials of the battery in a graphite solution that's then carbonized, the researchers make a web of conductors that all start charging at once; current batteries have to charge towards the center slowly, like a not-very-edible Tootsie Pop. The immediate goal is to develop a secondary battery for an EV that could provide extra mileage in a matter of seconds. Here's hoping that the Ulsan team's fast-charging battery is more viable than others and spreads to just about everything -- we'd love to have EVs and laptops alike that power up in as much time as it takes to fill a traditional car at the pump.

[Image credit: iFixit]

Filed under: Transportation, Science, Alt

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Sanyo expands Eneloop battery offerings with Pro for more power, Plus for less heat

Joe Pollicino — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 02:05:00 -0400

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.

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Sony's Dash gains a battery, not yet Justin Bieber approved

Joanna Stern — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:16:00 -0500

Oh, Sony Dash, your journey isn't over quite yet. Somehow Sir Howard forgot to mention this one on stage at Sony's CES presser, but the price of the current 7-inch Dash isn't just being dropped to $149, but there will soon be a new Dash with an integrated battery on the market. That's certainly a very welcome addition considering we didn't exactly love having the first one chained to an outlet. Other than the removable battery the "new" Dash seems to run the same Chumby-infused software, but it appears to have a slightly different design. The new battery-powered Dash will be available in orange, brown, and blue, while a version sans battery will only be decorated in a black hue. No word on pricing, but it will be available this summer. Now all we need now is to see it featured in a Justin Bieber video...

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