New Batteries Last Longer, Charge Faster

Engineers at Northwestern University are creating batteries that last longer and charge faster, a potential solution to battery drain on mobile devices.

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The technology uses a method to allow more ions to flow through lithium-ion batteries so smartphones, tablets, and even electric cars to hold a charge ten times longer and charge ten times faster. Using the innovation, a typical smartphone is expected to charge fully in 15 minutes and last for at least a week on a single charge.

As consumers use smartphones and tablets for more data-intensive purposes like watching movies, playing games and surfing the web, battery life has become a big concern. Apple just completed software updates on its iPhone 4S to fix battery drain problems, and researchers are always on the lookout for ways to make batteries last longer or charge more efficiently.

Recent innovations include Energy-Minimizing Idle Listening Technology, or E-MiLi, which prevents cell phones from searching for signals while in sleep mode, conserving battery life. Other advances include silicon chips that double processor efficiency, enabling devices to perform intensive activities without battery drain, and even a transparent screen film that allows smartphones to charge up using the sun's rays.

These battery-boosting ideas center on making devices more efficient; however, Northwestern's invention is one of the first to improve the battery itself. This may give the technology wider use across many types of devices.

The engineers report the development also addresses the problem of batteries wearing out over time.

"Even after 150 charges, which would be one year or more of operation, the battery is still five times more effective than lithium-ion batteries on the market today," said Northwestern's Dr. Harold Kung.

Kung predicts the new longer-life batteries could hit the consumer market in five years, good news to smartphone and tablet buyers frustrated at the battery limitations on their increasingly powerful and sophisticated devices.