Research Promises Drastically Increased LiOn Capacity

daem0n1x writes "Could this be the breakthrough we've all been expecting that will finally make the electric car a reality? Researchers of Northwestern University USA discovered a new way to build lithium-ion batteries that changes dramatically both the charge time and capacity [original paper, paywalled]. Guess what it involves? That's right, graphene."

The magical ingredient

[JDG1980]

Graphene. Is there anything it can't do?

Increased lion capacity!

[biodata]

Stay in the car!

Re:The magical ingredient

[Crudely_Indecent]

Yo mama!

Increased Lion capacity

[Xian97]

What if I am still running Snow Leopard?

Coming to the market in 5 years time?

[abigsmurf]

Just in time for the cheap, ultra efficient solar panels that will be available then

Re:/. is an empty shell of what it once was.

[elrous0]

I don't even comment on /. anymore.

"Guess what it involves?

[circletimessquare]

That's right, bacon."

More appealing answer.

New battery stories

[P-niiice]

If we could combine all the tech from all of the battery stories we've read in the past year, we could power an interstallar craft for a year with a single AAA battery and recharge it by rubbing it on a fluffy shirt for a few seconds.

Re:The magical ingredient

[oakgrove]

I just sprinkled bacon bits on a stack of hundred dollar bills. I am so excited!!

Re:Increased lion capacity!

[delinear]

Not only are they increasing the capacity, they're increasing the charge speed. That's all we need, millions of super fast lions :(

Re:Better battery life is always a year away

[delinear]

Yes, we've progressed from not having invented it to having solved some interesting research problems. Next stage is cancelation [xkcd.com].

Re:The magical ingredient

[cellocgw]

Yep, it can do anything. In fact Texas Instruments is using it in their next-gen calculators. You'll soon be able to buy a ....
.
.
.
wait....
Graphene Calculator!

Re:Increased lion capacity!

[ackthpt]

Not only are they increasing the capacity, they're increasing the charge speed. That's all we need, millions of super fast lions :(

If Marlin Perkins were here he'd have to rebadge the show EXTREME Wild Kingdom

... as Jim approaches the lions ... oh my, they are fast! Good thing his surviving family is covered by Mutual of Omaha.

Re:whatever

[arkane1234]

or duke nukem forever...

Re:The magical ingredient

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll bet you say that to all the girls...

Re:Coming to the market in 5 years time?

[karnal]

Oh, I think we have the capability to build cars for a fly. Question is, would they sell?

Re:The magical ingredient

[adonoman]

No, in this case, "10 times" had nothing to do with multiplication. It's simply a statement of the number of instances on which they reduced the recharge time. "On last tuesday, we reduced the the recharge time by 1%. On wednesday, we got an extra 1%. We did that up to 8 more times (we lost count, but that's the upper bound)"