Huzzah! Yet another discovery for us to add to our ever-expanding list of “awesome things that’ll never actually happen!” Ibrahim Abou Hamad and colleagues from Mississippi State University have reportedly devised a method of charging batteries that could hasten the process rather significantly, and better still, it could provide “an increase in battery power densities” as well. The only problem? Lithium-ion batteries have been disappointing tech users for years, and so long as Energizer and Duracell are calling the shots, we kind of doubt a lot will be done to improve the longevity of ‘em. Skepticism aside, the new method involves some fancy black magic surrounding molecular dynamics simulations, and researchers have found a way to boost charging time by “simulating the intercalation of lithium ions into the battery’s graphite anode.” We know we just went way over your heads on a Friday afternoon, but if techobabble’s your thing, all you can handle is right there in the Source link. Scientists discover method for rapid charging Li-ion batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:19:00 EST

Remember that wireless induction charger that we saw poking around at the CES iLounge Pavilion earlier this year? Seems that Case-Mate has finally given that little doohickey a name, a price and a ship date. The aptly-titled Hug (which consists of the Hug Case and Hug Pad) slips onto one’s iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS and allows Apple’s darling to get recharged by simply laying on the aforementioned platter. Of course, the case itself is distractingly bulky, and this whole thing relies on the same eCoupled technology that we’ve been seeing for years now — though, the fact that this pad will charge any other case that utilizes the same standard is worth noting.

The duaLink cable for iPod and iPhone contains its own miniature USB hub, a single USB connector on one end, and two iPod connectors on the other end. If the promise of charging and / or syncing multiple devices from the same USB port hasn’t blown your mind, the company has been thoughtful enough to place the whole shebang in a housing that seems to be a little more durable than the (admittedly not so durable) stock Apple cable. We don’t believe that this will be compatible with the iSlatelet , but if we hear anything to the contrary (you know, from “leading industry analysts”) we’ll let you know. Available now from CableJive for $26, hit the source link to get started. Continue reading duaLink cable charges two iPhones on one USB port, no problem duaLink cable charges two iPhones on one USB port, no problem originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds

No, someone didn’t just Photoshop the Duracell logo on a WildCharge pad — this actually is the newest product from the ubiquitous battery maker. Available this October, myGrid kits (including charger and one power sleeve) will be available for Nokia, Motorola, and Blackberry handsets, as well as the many flavors of Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch. No price yet, but you’ll know as soon as we do. [Via PhoneMag ] Filed under: Cellphones , Handhelds Duracell announces myGrid wireless charger, WildCharge feels a little KIRFed originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read

Pluggage, the brainchild of ITP student Ohad Folman, is a piece of carry-on luggage with a built-in battery/inverter and a solar panel that’s capable of charging mobile devices as the bag is rolled or exposed to direct sunlight. The luggage is not your everyday pie-in-the-sky concept; Folman has already created a proof-of-concept prototype using a Burton bag with a Duracell PowerSource Mobile 100 battery back, a stepper motor and a Burton SolarRolls panel. Folman claims that the battery charges in about two hours with an average walking pace, and should be able to power a laptop for about an hour and a half. There are a few obvious downsides to the concept: I don’t know many people who are willing to walk around for two hours, hauling a suitcase behind them. Using Pluggage would also force a user to avoid those moving walkways at the airport, one of life’s simple joys. So far, Pulman hasn’t had much luck getting the big luggage makers to incorporate his idea so he’s currently looking to get started with a smaller bag maker.

Envious of your Pre toting pals and that Touchstone charging rig? Don’t sweat it — WildCharge is coming through in the clutch to bring similar wireless charging technology to Apple’s own handset. Starting today, iPhone (3G and 3GS included) and iPod touch users can order up a WildCharge Skin along with a WildCharger Pad in order to bring wire-free charging to their smartphone. Just slap the skin on, plug the pad in and toss the handset down on said pad. Just like that, you’ve got fresh energy flowing without having to scour the house for that little AC adapter

Robots may be impressive and occasionally frightening things that will some day rule our lives and societies, but right now they’re rather co-dependent, unable to even recharge themselves without a helping hand. The latest from robo-startup Willow Garage is different, a bot called PR2 that’s capable of maneuvering through a crowded office, opening (non-locked) doors, and pilfering a little taste of that good, good, alternating current juice. What’s more, he’s sensitive to your time constraints, so the demonstration video below has been thoughtfully edited to minimize footage of aimless wandering, spinning, and general confusion. Next step: learning to knock.

You know the dilemma all too well — you need a cigarette outlet to charge up your PND, yet a spare USB socket would totally come in handy for juicing up that DAP whilst crossing the country in a ‘74 Chevelle. Enter Santok, which has just introduced what could possibly be the mother of all in-car chargers . Aside from turning a single cigarette socket into two, it also adds a pair of powered USB ports, leaving us only yearning for a couple of AC sockets to really cap things off. ‘Course, we aren’t so much for melted center consoles, so maybe we’ll just color ourselves satisfied. Now, if only we could spot a price… [Via Coolest-Gadgets ] Filed under: Misc.

Looking for a new way to burn money on your DSi ? How’s about a few new charging solutions from the folks at Thrustmaster ? Today, both the T-Standee Charger and T-Strap Charger were introduced, with the former expected in mid-June for $12.99 and the latter checking in next month for a penny under $8. As the name implies the T-Standee is basically a charging kickstand / docking station, while the T-Strap builds a charging port right into the strap that can be connected to any powered USB socket for on-the-go recharging. Gnarly, right? Full release is after the break.

Some of you were wondering how the homeless charge their cellphones —maybe they do it Chechen-soldier style and created their own wooden, dynamo-powered cellphone charger out in the untamed wilderness. Chechen soldiers devised the charger to keep their cell phones charged. Turning the crank will pull the strings and activate the pulleys. As a result, it generates electricity in the capacitor (the blue thing), thereby charging the phone. You’d probably have to put in a bit of a workout to see any results, but hey, at least it’ll allow you to phone home just like E.T. did