A team of researchers under Prof. Jeung Ku Kang of NanoSF at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has achieved a breakthrough with the development of a safe and durable hybrid capacitor that can be charged in twenty to thirty seconds . The aqueous electrolytic hybrid capacitor should be able to last for more than 100,000 charging cycles without any loss of capacity. Unlike conventional lithium-ion technology, there is practically no risk of fire with the new battery.

At present, lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries are used in almost all rechargeable devices – from smartphones and drones to electric vehicles. Aside from the relatively long charging time, the main problem with this type of battery is their flammability. In addition to a few spectacular vehicle fires , burning or exploding smartphones have generated bad press time and again. Many in the industry are currently still eagerly waiting to see which battery technology will come out on top, particularly in electric vehicles.