Two researchers have developed battery cells that can charge up in less time than it takes to read the first two sentences of this article. The compound, which is already used in the electrodes of some commercial lithium-ion batteries, might lead to laptop batteries capable of charging themselves in about a minute. The batteries generate an electric current when lithium ions flow out from a storage electrode, float through an electrolyte, and are chemically bound inside the opposing cathode. To recharge the battery, the process is reversed: lithium ions are ripped from the cathode compound and sent back to be trapped in their anode store. The speed at which a battery can charge is limited by how fast its electrons and ions can move - particularly through its electrodes. But for most lithium-ion batteries, powering up still takes hours: in part because the lithium ions, once generated, move sluggishly from the cathode material to the electrolyte. Thanks for this JayMusgrove Mar-12-09 10:52 AM #1 Ah yes, the semi-annual "battery breakthrough" article. Advances in battery technology, and battery production is the key to combating high energy costs.