Thanks to a groundbreaking study from the University of Colorado (USA), the idea of smartphones being able to charge fully in just one minute is no longer a distant dream.
The new research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveals the potential to turn this idea into reality.
The research team at the University of Colorado has developed an advanced technique that allows phones to charge 100% in just 60 seconds. The secret lies in optimizing the movement of ions within supercapacitors. Researcher Ankur Gupta explains: “Supercapacitors are used to store energy during short-term charge and discharge cycles at high current. By facilitating the more efficient movement of ions, the charging and energy release processes occur much faster, allowing a phone battery to charge from 0% to 100% in just one minute or even less.”
While similar techniques have been applied in studies of flow in porous materials like oil reservoirs and water filtration, their application in energy storage systems has not been fully explored. Gupta shares: “Recognizing the critical role of energy for the future of our planet, I felt compelled to apply my chemical engineering knowledge to develop energy storage devices. This field seems to be underexplored, presenting a perfect opportunity.” Gupta believes that speed is the main advantage of supercapacitors, and the key question is how to optimize the speed of charging and energy release. The answer lies in the movement of the ions themselves.
Advanced technique allows phones to charge 100% in just 60 seconds. (Photo: Daily Mail).
The research team has made significant discoveries, showing differences in how ions move compared to electrons at the intersections of tiny nanopores. Furthermore, the movement of ions does not adhere to Kirchhoff’s laws—the laws used to determine current flow in circuits since 1845. Thanks to this research, simulating and predicting the movement of ions in a complex network of interconnected pores can now be achieved in just a few minutes. Gupta proudly states: “This is the breakthrough of our research. We have found the missing link.”
However, it remains unclear when this groundbreaking technology will be applied in practice and integrated into smartphones. Nevertheless, the prospect of a smartphone that can fully charge in an instant will undoubtedly serve as a significant motivation for ongoing research and development.
The emergence of this super-fast charging technology promises to revolutionize the mobile industry. Smartphone manufacturers could reduce battery capacity without affecting usage time, thereby freeing up space inside the device for components that enhance processing power and data storage.
