Researchers Create Battery that Can Charge in Seconds

A team of researchers at MIT have come up with a new way to recharge lithium ion batteries that could allow them to charge in seconds or minutes rather than hours. As lithium ion batteries act today, the ions need to travel through microscopic tunnels to create the charge. If the ions aren't correctly positioned near the mouth of the tunnels, they don't enter the tunnel and can't produce a charge. The MIT researchers have essentially created an easier way for the ions to reach and enter these tunnels, which they are calling a "beltway". This method for charging means batteries don't lose their capacity to charge over time. It also allows for faster charging, and smaller batteries that carry the same capacity. Smaller batteries can lead to smaller, lighter battery-powered devices.