Nanotube gel claimed to speed charging, extend lifespan of Li-ion batteries
 

Researchers at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a nanotube gel that could improve battery performance dramatically. This new twist on the lithium-ion formula is claimed to enable ultra-rapid charging that takes batteries from empty to 70% capacity in just two minutes. More importantly, perhaps, the technology is said to be capable of enduring 10,000 charging cycles—much more than typical Li-ion cells.

Associate professor Chen Xiaodong is credited with inventing the gel, which hardly sounds like exotic unobtainium. The material is made from titanium dioxide, a compound the press release describes as an "abundant, cheap and safe material found in soil." ...

http://techreport.com/news/27209/nan...-ion-batteries