Could your phone soon charge in 3 minutes? Scientists reveal new battery

Scientists have made a major breakthrough in battery technology that could potentially transform the way smartphones and other electronic devices are charged.

SYDNEY: Scientists have made a major breakthrough in battery technology that could potentially transform the way smartphones and other electronic devices are charged.

Researchers at Flinders University in Australia have developed a zinc-iodine battery technology that has demonstrated the ability to reach a full charge in just three minutes during testing.

The new technology could offer a significant advantage over conventional lithium-ion batteries, which can take anywhere from around 30 minutes to several hours to charge, depending on the device and its fast-charging capabilities.

One of the most notable features of the new battery is its reported longevity. Researchers say the battery demonstrated the ability to maintain performance for up to 60,000 charge cycles during experiments.

The battery also uses a water-based electrolyte system, which could make it considerably safer than conventional lithium-ion technology. Because the system is water-based, it has a much lower risk of catching fire an important consideration for portable electronic devices.

Researchers have also incorporated an organic material derived from starch into the battery technology.

Modern smartphones generally rely on lithium-ion batteries. These batteries use materials including lithium cobalt oxide and graphite, with lithium ions moving between the two layers during charging and discharging.

The movement of ions and electrons generates the energy used by the device, but it can also produce heat. Users may notice their phones becoming warm during intensive use or charging.

The new zinc-iodine technology could potentially address some of these concerns while offering dramatically faster charging and a much longer operating life.

Will iPhones and galaxy phones get the new battery?

Despite the promising results, consumers should not expect the technology to appear in iPhones or Samsung Galaxy devices immediately.

The battery is still at the research and development stage, and several challenges would need to be overcome before it could be integrated into mass-produced smartphones. Researchers would also need to demonstrate that the technology can meet the demanding requirements of compact consumer electronics.

Nevertheless, the combination of three-minute charging, long battery life and improved safety makes the technology an intriguing development.

If the technology can eventually be commercialized for smartphones, the 3-minute phone battery could dramatically reduce the time users spend waiting for their devices to recharge.