According to an article in Businessworld, Toshiba have invented a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery that can be charged to 80% of it capacity in just one minute.

The battery uses nano technology apparently – nano-particles to prevent organic liquid electrolytes from reducing during battery recharging, according to Toshiba.

The battery’s lifetime performance is also improved, with just one per cent loss of total capacity after 1,000 recharge/discharge cycles, and the battery can operate at a lower temperatures; at -40 degrees it is capable of discharging up to 80 per cent of its capacity.

The current prototype is just 3.8x62x35mm and has a capacity of 600mAh and commercial production will begin in 2006.