Scientists at Flinders University in Australia have developed a new type of battery that can reportedly be fully charged in just three minutes. The battery can also be fully charged up to 60,000 times, potentially giving it a much longer lifespan than conventional batteries.
Unlike the lithium-ion batteries commonly used in smartphones today, the new battery uses zinc-iodine technology. Researchers say this technology could offer better safety and reduce the risk of fire associated with some conventional battery systems.
Lithium-ion batteries gradually lose their performance after repeated charging and use. Heat generated during charging and operation can also contribute to battery degradation over time.
The researchers say the new zinc-iodine battery could potentially last for decades if its high charging cycle capacity is achieved in practical use. By comparison, smartphone batteries typically experience noticeable degradation after a few years.
However, the technology is not yet ready for use in smartphones. Researchers are continuing to improve the battery before it can be commercially developed and used in everyday electronic devices.
If successfully developed for commercial use, the technology could make much faster charging and significantly longer-lasting batteries possible for smartphones and other electronic devices.