S. Korean scientists develop faster recharge technology for mobile units

SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean scientists have developed the technology
to greatly reduce mobile phone battery recharge time, the government said
Tuesday.
The team, led by Cho Jae-phil, a professor of energy engineering at the Ulsan
National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), has developed a technology
that can reduce recharge time for mobile devices by one-sixth, the science
ministry said.
It said the new process highlights advances made in the creation of so-called
flexible rechargeable batteries that require a high capacity current collector
and reflect breakthroughs in nanotech areas.
The new recharge method was made possible after researchers created a special
solution made from melting carbon and silicon precursors under high pressure and
extreme heat. The solution has a high degree of electric conductivity that can
facilitate faster recharge or discharge of batteries.
"An ordinary mobile phone requires around three hours to fully recharge, but if
the new system is used, the time can be reduced to about 30 minutes," the
ministry, which supported Cho's research, said.
It added that with the market for rechargeable batteries on the rise with growing
use of appliances such as notebook computers and portable displays, the market
for the new discovery is expected to grow in the future.
The ministry, meanwhile, said the UNIST research findings have been published in
the latest edition of the international Angewandte Chemie journal.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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