Scientists say a modification to the design of lithium-ion
batteries could allow batteries that can charge and discharge in
a matter of seconds. Writing in the journal Nature, the team
from MIT describe modifying the surface of a sample of lithium
iron phosphate to improve the mobility of the lithium ions in
the material. Before the processing step, a battery made from
one sample of the lithium iron phosphate took six minutes to
charge. After processing, batteries using the material were able
to charge in under twenty seconds. Fast-charging and discharging
batteries could be of use in a variety of applications, from
portable electronics to advanced cars. We'll talk about the
work, and how soon it might be able to find its way into
consumer products. Produced by Charles Bergquist, Director and
Contributing Producer