Scientists have developed a new type of battery that can last longer and recharge faster than anything available today.
Created by the University of Alberta, the new technology comes courtesy of everyone's favourite wonder-material... (drum roll) ... carbon nanotubes!
Xinwei Cuin, Chief Technology Officer for AdvEn Solutions who are developing the batteries, explains the new process called induced flourination saying:
"We tried lots of different materials. Normally carbon is used as the anode in lithium-ion batteries, but we used carbon as the cathode, and this is used to build a battery with induced fluorination,"
As a result the batteries are cheaper, far safer and can output between five to eight times the amount of energy that current consumer lithium-ion batteries are able to produce.
Another key advantage is that they can be recharged far quicker than current batteries, making them ideal for use in cellphones and small electronic devices.
“Nobody knew that carbon could be used as a cathode with such a high performance. That is what’s unique with our technology and what is detailed in our paper,”
By the end of 2014 the company will have three fully-working prototypes - each one tailored to suit a specific purpose whether it's longer battery life, faster recharging or ultra-high energy storage.
The company is currently working alongside aerospace company Lockheed Martin to develop even more advanced version of the technology in the hopes of finding civil or military applications.