Rayovac Corp. (Madison, WI) announced that it has developed a new rechargeable battery that will take only 15 minutes to recharge. The technology will cut recharging time from one hour for its most powerful rechargeable batteries, designed for high-drain devices like digital cameras. Rayovac calls the new technology I-C3 for “In-Cell Charge Control” because the key to the system is the transfer of charging technology from the charger to the battery.
The new nickel-metal hydride batteries will allow up to four times more pictures than alkaline batteries and more than comparable-size lithium-ion batteries, based on current American National Standards Institute tests. In devices like power tools and emerging technologies like e-scooters, the new batteries are projected to last 20 percent longer than any current rechargeable battery and will be able to be recharged up to 1,000 times.
“This is a real breakthrough that allows for much faster charging without worrying about the build-up of temperature and pressure you have with old-fashioned systems,” stated Rayovac spokesman John Daggett.
Sales are expected to start in 2003.
