Researchers think they have found a way to double your phone life – and it was discovered entirely by accident.
Lancaster University researchers stumbled across the new material, called OSPC-1, while trying to create porous types of carbon, reports the Times.
It is hoped that the material will double lithium battery capacity as it is able to store a huge volume of lithium ions.
The material currently used, graphite, can form tendrils which may build up and short circuit or even explode.
Lancaster University researchers have found a new type of carbon, called OSPC-1, that they hope will be used to double lithium battery life (file photo)
Lithium batteries are used in almost all rechargeable devices but a kilogram of it can only hold about one per cent of the energy that a kilogram of petrol can, meaning vast improvements still need to be made.
Abbie Trewin, from Lancaster University, told the Times: ‘We wanted to try and make a new form of carbon, but whereas diamond is non-conducting, we found this was not.
‘We thought, “Would it be good for batteries?” We tested its uptake of lithium ions and were pleasantly surprised.’
The new carbon does not expand and contract with each charge which is the process that decreases phone battery life.
Dr Trewin added: ‘Your battery could last longer than the phone.’
Although the research, published in Angewandte Chemie, is in its early stages, other scientists hope the new carbon will be developed further in the future.
Dan Brett, from University College London, said: ‘They could be on to something big.’
The new carbon could replace graphite and make phone batteries safer. Tendrils can form in graphite which can lead to short circuits or even explosions (file photo)