Graphene battery recharges in 15 minutes

Dongxu Optoelectronics showed off a prototype with a capacity of 4,800mAh.

A new graphene battery developed by a company in China is capable of fully charging in 15 minutes or 10 to 20 times faster than Li-ion types. Dongxu Optoelectronics unveiled the product at an event in Beijing, China. The 4,800mAh battery called the G-King supports about 3,500 charge cycles, surpassing Li-ion rivals that are usually advertised with between 500 and 1,500 times. As such, graphene batteries show potential for enormous improvements in this area.

As with new technologies, graphene batteries are still at an early stage of development. There is no indication that this will make its way into smartphones or electric cars (which could really use the fast charging) anytime soon. Dongxu did not mention commercial availability, so it should be assumed that the product is a long way off from coming to market.

The race for improved battery technology is a fierce one. Currently, the best way to enhance battery life is by cramming bigger batteries into electronic devices. A number of smartphone companies are going this route these days. ZTE, Panasonic and a US-based startup BLU all recently announced smartphones with 5,000mAh batteries.

Other manufacturers have opted to invest in quick charging technology, allowing them to keep batteries and the smartphones that house them relatively small (usually about 3,000mAh).

Breakthroughs such as the graphene prototype introduced in Beijing remain the "holy grail" of battery technology.