Toshiba Battery Charges in One Minute

Impatient people may find Toshiba's latest invention something that would fit their lifestyle. The company announced Tuesday that it had discovered a way to recharge a Lithium-Ion battery to 80 percent in only one minute. Currently, the fastest batteries take approximately an hour to recharge to the same capacity.

In addition, Toshiba scientists have found a way to extend the usable life of the battery, claiming it will only lose 1 percent of its capacity after 1,000 recharging cycles. The new Li-Ion battery could also operate more reliably at lower temperatures than previous batteries could.

Toshiba plans to bring the new batteries to the market in 2006. According to the company, the technology will initially only be used for automotive and industrial purposes.

The company said it could likely be used in hybrid electric vehicles as an alternative power source.

"Toshiba expects that the high energy density and excellent recharge performance of the new battery will assure its successful application as a new energy solution in many areas of society," the company said in a statement.

According to Toshiba representatives, while they do see such battery technology eventually being used in devices like mobile phones, the priority is on larger machines that require quick recharging and long life, such as automobiles.