has developed a prototype lithium-ion battery that makes long recharge times a thing of the past.
In use, 80% of the energy capacity of the 600mAh battery can be recharged in just one minute, approximately 60 times faster than lithium-ion batteries in use today. The battery also has a long life cycle, losing only 1% of capacity after 1,000 cycles of discharging and recharging.
Better yet, the small battery, which is just 3.8mm thick, 62mm high and 35mm deep, also has a long life cycle. It loses only 1% of capacity after 1,000 cycles of discharging and recharging.
It can also operate at very low temperatures. At minus 40 degrees centigrade, the battery can discharge 80% of its capacity, against 100% in an ambient temperature of 25 degree centigrade.
Toshiba intends to bring the new rechargeable battery to market in 2006. Initial applications will be in the automotive and industrial sectors.
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Where will all the raw materials come from for the manufacturing process? How will they be transported to the factory and what is going to be done with the various scrap and residues?