New lithium-ion battery can recharge to 90 percent capacity in 5 minutes

Washington, Dec 5 : Toshiba has developed a new lithium-ion battery that can charge to 90 percent capacity in just 5 minutes.

According to a report in ENN (Environmental News Network), the life cycle of the new battery, which is called SCiB (or Super Charge Ion Battery), is more than 10 years even if it is rapidly charged and discharged many times.

The battery is also much safer than other types of lithium ion batteries, which are potential fire hazards.

Toshiba said its batteries use a lithium-titanium oxide negative electrode. That makes the batteries more stable than typical lithium ion batteries, which use carbon-based negative electrodes.

The SCiB battery uses lithium titanate for enhanced safety and is made up of ten battery cells connected in series.

The key feature of the battery is the use of lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) is used as a negative electrode material with electrolyte with a high flash point and a separator with a high heat resistance.

Because of this feature, a thermal runaway is less likely to occur in case of an internal short-circuit, so the risks of burst and combustion are reduced, according to Toshiba.

For a positive-electrode material, lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) was adopted as in the case of Li-ion secondary batteries for portable devices.

The company said that the battery can be used in electric motorcycles and hybrid cars.

Toshiba recently unveiled a bike manufactured by Cannondale Sports Group that uses the quick-charging lithium ion battery.

The company will begin commercial production of the battery in March 2008.

ANI