Phone batteries could soon last 10 times longer

 

Scientists have found a way of boosting mobile battery strength.

As mobile phones become increasingly advanced, the limitations of battery power are more apparent than ever.

But these frustrations could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a scientific breakthrough by researchers in the US. Their findings suggest that phone batteries could soon hold a charge up to 10 times greater than current technology allows.

The scientists, from Northwestern University, made changes to the composition of lithium-ion batteries - used in all kinds of mobile devices - in a bid to increase their capacity. One change that proved effective was piercing millions of tiny holes in the battery’s outer layers.

“We have found a way to extend a new lithium-ion battery’s charge life by 10 times,” said lead researcher Harold H Kung, though he warned that the stronger batteries would gradually lose their power advantage over time.

However, he added: “Even after 150 charges, which would be one year or more of operation, the battery is still five times more effective than lithium-ion batteries on the market today.”

As well as holding 10 times more power, batteries could soon charge up to 10 times quicker. A phone battery built at Northwestern was charged from flat in 15 minutes and lasts a full week before requiring a recharge.

According to the scientists, batteries this powerful could be in shops within the next five years.

Last month, it was widely reported that owners of Apple’s new iPhone 4S were experiencing poor battery life. The company later confirmed that a “bug” in the smartphone’s operating system was to blame, but a software update would soon fix the issue.

Photo by brendan-c

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