Scientists discover 9-second lithium-ion recharge

Scientists have developed a way to reduce battery charging time from hours to seconds, opening up doors for its use in electronics and electric vehicles.

Scientists Byoungwoo Kang and Gerbrand Ceder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found a tunnel shaped lithium compound that speeds up electron transfer within the battery.

The scientists’ lithium-ion battery could mean quick charging for electronics such as laptops and iPods, as well as more efficient hybrid electric vehicles (EV). The faster an EV can recharge its batteries, the more ground it can cover in a given amount of time.

This breakthrough may extend to recharge capabilities of other battery materials. Just as nickel hydroxide achieved fast recharge rates before lithium, other materials may have the potential to follow suit.

Battery recharge speed depends on electron and ion movement. Lithium ions tend to slow down when moving from the battery’s cathode to its electrolyte.

Kang and Ceder found a compound called lithium-iron phosphate, which has a crystal structure that creates a tunnel for lithium to quickly travel through. In order to get the ions to the tunnels, the scientists coated the cathode with lithium-phosphate glass, which allows electron flow. The result: Recharge in nine seconds.

The commercial world is also working on extending lithium-ion battery technology. Oxfordshire, U.K.-based Nexeon raised £10 million ($14.2 million) in February 2009 to continue battery development. Nexeon investors see growth potential in the lithium-ion battery market (see Nexeon raises £10M for lithium-ion batteries).

Westborough, Mass.-based lithium-ion battery maker Boston-Power raised $55 million in venture capital funds in January 2009. The company is focusing on batteries for notebook computers, but also plans to supply products for consumer electronics devices, e-bikes, hybrid and electric vehicles, and other forms of transportation. (see Boston-Power eyes vehicle market as it gets $55M funding).

Santa Rosa, Calif.-based electric car maker ZAP designs cars that fit different types of batteries, including lithium-ion. For now, ZAP has set aside more expensive ultracapacitors and nickel-metal hydride batteries and is focusing on lithium-ion as their battery of choice (see ZAP: Low price, not top speed, drives electric vehicle market).