Toshiba Develops Battery That Recharges 80% In One Minute

TOKYO -(Dow Jones)- Toshiba Corp. (6502.TO) said Tuesday it has developed a new lithium-ion battery that can recharge 80% of its energy capacity in one minute, about 60 times faster than widely-used lithium-ion batteries now.

The Japanese electronics maker aims for a commercial launch of the rechargeable battery using its nano-material technology in 2006. Toshiba said will initially target automotive and industrial sectors, including use of the battery in hybrid electric vehicles.

The battery has a long life cycle, losing only 1% of its capacity after 1,000 cycles of discharging and recharging, while it can operate at very low temperatures, Toshiba said.

At minus 40 degrees centigrade, the battery can discharge 80% of its capacity, against 100% in an ambient temperature of 25 degrees centigrade, the company said.

-By Kanji Ishibashi, Dow Jones Newswires; 813-5255-2929; kanji.ishibashi@dowjones.com
-Edited by Shawn Schroter

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 29th March 2005