Changes in Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 4.0 Highlights!

Welcome the next generation of Android OS Ice Cream Sandwich! Google finally unveiled Android 4.0 and the most amazing Android Smartphone Galaxy Nexus to the world (checkout the specs here). With the latest ICS Google taking android to the next level in order to make it the most convenient mobile OS enhancing the features that most people would love – easy multitasking, rich notifications, customizable home screens, resizable widgets, and deep interactivity. Let’s have a look at some major changes in Ice Cream Sandwich.

New Lock Screen and Face Unlock: The first major changes came in Lockscreen. While the lockscreenn is very familiar for those who used Honeycomb (similar way drag the circle to the right to unlock but with more actions such as users can directly open the camera app sliding left or pull down the notifications window), Google integrated facial recognition functionality to unlock the device by simply looking at the front-facing camera.

System Bar and Action Bar: Once Unlocked the next thing you’ll notice is instead of using physical buttons a system bar has been placed, Virtual buttons let users navigate instantly to Back, Home, and Recent Apps. The System Bar and virtual buttons are present across all apps, but can be dimmed by applications for full-screen viewing. Users can access each application’s contextual options in the Action Bar, displayed at the top (and sometimes also at the bottom) of the screen.

Notifications: See real-time updates and notifications from apps, control music player right in to notification tray and much more. On smaller-screen devices, notifications appear at the top of the screen, while on larger-screen devices they appear in the System Bar.

The home screen changes brings the ability to create folders and let users group their apps and shortcuts logically, just by dragging one onto another. From the All Apps launcher, users can now simply drag an app to get information about it or immediately uninstall it, or disable a pre-installed app. A favorites tray visible from all home screens where users can put priority items for quick access.

Resizable widgets: Widgets are now intractable and got new customizable features such as users can check email, flip through a calendar, play music, check social streams, and more as widgets work like live application. Users can scroll, Flip and even resize them.

Multitasking: Clicking on the multitask button in the system bar pop ups the running apps list with thumbnail  image where user can quickly switch between apps or discard them.

Gesture control, Swipe to dismiss notifications, tasks, and browser tabs: In Android 4.0 google introduced gestures control to move between screen, contacts, picture, and different pages within applications, dismiss a browser tab with just a simple swipe of a finger even on multitasking screen swiping a app off screen will close it. Similarly notifications can be swipe off to make clear or disappear them.

Improved text input and spell-checking and Powerful voice input engine:  Android 4.0 makes text input even faster and more accurate. Error correction and word suggestion are improved through a new set of default dictionaries, a spell-checker that locates and underlines errors and suggests replacement words. Word suggestion is also improved and the suggestion strip is simplified to show only three words at a time.

A powerful new voice input engine that offers a continuous “open microphone” experience and streaming voice recognition. Watch text instantly appear as you speak with voice input. Touch the microphone on the keyboard and use your voice to instantly type your emails, SMS, or anywhere you want to enter text.

People and profiles: A new People app that offers richer profile information, including a large profile picture, phone numbers, addresses and accounts, status updates, and a new button for connecting on integrated social networks.

  

New camera features, Redesigned Gallery app with photo editor: Google put does work hard to improve the camera app in Ice Cream Sandwich then they did before in previous Android versions, and interestingly they did a good job this time. The app completely revamped and a lot of new features has been added such as continuous focus, zero shutter lag exposure, and decreased shot-to-shot speed for taking clear image. Stabilized image zoom lets users compose photos and video in the way they want, including while video is recording. Antjer great thing is users can even take a high quality snapshot while they shooting video. Geo tagging and facial recognition make it easy to create automatic photo albums based on people and location.

The most amazing feature is a built in photo editor has been puted right in to Gallery app which let user quickly edit an image and add effects then directly share it on social network.

Other key features:

Live Effects for transforming video which is fun and let users add a custom background while taking picture or shooting and even use while video chatting user can show some silly face effects

Android Beam for NFC-based sharing finally makes it easy to share files between NFC capabele device. For apps sharing it pushes a link for the specific app and it open directly android market page on the other device.

Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth HDP let users connect with other devices over Wi-Fi without any internet connection just like peering with bluetooth for instant sharing of files, photos, or other media; streaming video or audio from another device; or connecting to compatible printers or other devices. Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP) will allows to connect to wireless medical devices and sensors in hospitals, fitness centers, homes, and elsewhere.

So, what you think? Android just got even better!  Stay tuned with us atFacebook and Twitter, Google Plus to get updates on latest Android Ice Cream sandwich. source.

Read More

7 signs that it’s time to get a new Mac

Macs retain higher overall resale values than many other PCs, but they don’t last forever. But how do you know when to act? What are the symptoms of impeding Mac death or obsolescence, and when is a good time to consider replacing an old Mac with a new one?  The following seven points should help you make an educated decision about whether or not to invest in one of the new MacBook Pros unveiled Monday, or any other new Mac for that matter.
1. Will not run OS X Lion (or Snow Leopard). In the past, if you had a Mac running an older version of OS X, you could keep it running for a long time without much issue. But iCloud’s minimum specs have changed that. Your Mac must have an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, or Xeon processor to run Lion 10.7.2 which is required to use iCloud on a Mac. If you’re not certain your Mac meets these requirements, you can easily identify exactly what Mac you have and get the specs from there. Users hoping to update to iCloud from MobileMe will need a newer Mac, and those hoping to stay on top of what could become the core of Apple’s business will also want to upgrade.
Not everyone needs the convenience features of iCloud, but you should note that Apple has also stopped releasing security updates for older Macs as well.  To play it safe, you may need to have a Mac that can at least run Snow Leopard.
2. Battery no longer keeps its charge. While certainly not the primary reason to get rid of a MacBook that still works when plugged in, it’s a sign that you may be getting near the end of your machine’s useful life.  Apple does have a battery replacement program, even for MacBooks that do not user-accessible batteries, but the cost of replacing a battery can run anywhere from $130 to $180, and if your battery is past its prime, other system components might be nearing their end, too. It may be time to consider turning that laptop into a desktop, and get a new MacBook.
3. Most-used apps are sluggish. New software tends to get bigger and more demanding with time. With each new update comes a lot more features. These may not be features you need or care about, but sometimes they’re required in order to maintain compatibility with a particular file format. You can always try sliding back to an earlier version to preserver performance, but if apps you use time and time again are making your computer slow or unusable, it’s probably time to look for something new.
4. An iPad outperforms your Mac. It may surprise you to learn that the current iPad 2′s geek bench scores are about as high as the Mac mini G4′s scores from 2005. You could try to clean out your Mac, free up some hard drive space, or even add some memory or a solid state drive to help and improve performance. But at the end of the day, there is a limit to the gains in performance you can squeeze out of older hardware, and the cost of doing so might outweigh the benefit.
5. Difficult-to-replace component has failed. If you’re not comfortable replacing the internal components of you Mac yourself, service prices can become cost-prohibitive when compared to buying a new Mac.  You may also end up being very disappointed following a major upgrade when something else goes wrong, like a hard drive failure.  With MacBooks especially, when one part starts to fail, the rest are likely not too far from failing as well.
6. The Mac you want was just updated. Following the rumors about possible Apple product updates can become more obsession than hobby.  I have looked toward’s MacRumor’s Buyer’s Guide for years now in an effort to track down when a particular product is going to be updated.  The simplest rule to follow, however, is that if you need a new Mac, buy a new Mac. But if your need happens to coincide with a fresh product update, don’t hesitate.
7. You own a PC, but all your mobile devices are Apple. Like works best with like, and that’s particularly true of Apple products. Apple has a great guide to help with the transition from a PC to a Mac.  And with Apple’s Boot Camp, VMware Fusion or Parallels, you can keep on using Windows on a Mac if you like.

Read More

Android pushes past iOS in app downloads

With Android gobbling up market share, it was just a matter of time before it took the lead in app downloads from Apple’s iOS. That’s what happened in the second quarter of this year, according to ABI Research, which found that Android commanded 44 percent of overall mobile app downloads compared to 31 percent for iOS.

According to ABI, Android has much bigger install base compared to iOS, with 2.4 users for every iOS user worldwide. By 2016, that gap is expected to grow to 3:1. But even with the bigger  footprint, iOS users still download more apps individually than average Android users by a 2 to 1 ratio. The ascendence of Android in app downloads isn’t completely unexpected considering Ovum already predicted that Android would take the title for the first time later this year. But it’s another sign that Android momentum is still going strong.
ABI also predicts that overall global app downloads this year will hit 29 billion, compared to nine billion in 2010. That figure is fueled in part by smartphone penetration, which is expected to grow to 46 percent in 2011.
Apple is still the No. 1 focus for most developers because of the fact that it’s a better place to monetize apps; Ovum predicts iOS will still generate more in paid download revenue in 2016 with iOS making $2.86 billion compared to $1.5 billion for Android. As I wrote about before, Apple customers are also more interested in downloading a wider variety of apps, which is helpful for developers.
But over time, the sheer numbers game along with some inherent differences in the Android platform compared to iOS, is helping turn more developer attention to Android. There are still more apps on iOS and the disparity is even more pronounced when you look at tablet apps. But more developers are starting to build for Android primarily taking advantage of its more open nature and some are seeing similar if not occasionally better results on Android.
Android still has some growing up to do to ensure that a wide number of developers can prosper on the platform. But it continues to gain momentum by virtue of its hardware sales growth and now we’re seeing that, in at least one metric, the scales have tipped in Android’s favor. The more important measure will be to see when Android generates more revenue than iOS.
That, as Ovum predicts, is still a ways off considering Android promotes more free apps. But with the growth of freemium apps that are powered by in-app purchase and advertising, we should see that gap close as well over time as long as Android continues to be a marketshare leader. But if Apple can claw back marketshare with the iPhone 4S and maintain its edge in tablets, it could take longer for Android to really overtake iOS in the app game.

Read More

How to setup iMessage on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Wondering how to setup iOS 5′s new iMessage service on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch? Using iMessage you can send text messages, photos, video and much more to other iMessage users around the world, all over your existing data connection. That’s right, no texting plans or charges needed! Here’s how to get started.

Let’s take a look at the iPhone first

• First off ensure your running the latest iOS 5 software
• Select settings
• Select Messages
• Turn the toggle switch for iMessage to on

• You should see a message saying “Activating”
• You can now enter your receive to addresses, this can be an email address (Apple ID) or just your iPhone phone number, or both. The phone number part should already be filled out
• If you have an Apple ID and want to use that as well as your phone number, enter it here

• Once completed you will now have an active iMessage account on your iPhone
• You can toggle various options on and off such as read recipts etc
• Also you have an option to send as an SMS if iMessage data connection is not available

That is all you need, you now have iMessage set up on your iPhone!  

Now for the iPad and iPod touch

Setting up iMessage on the iPad and iPod touch is slightly diferent as these devices do not have any telephone number associated with them.

• First off ensure your running the latest iOS 5 software
• Select settings
• Select Messages
• Turn the toggle switch for iMessage to on
• A new box will open asking you for an Apple ID

• If you have an Apple ID, enter it here
• If you don’t have one, select Create New Account
• Once completed you will now have an active iMessage account on your iPad or iPod touch

Ok now we have iMessage set up there are a few things to consider. If you only have one device then you are fine. If you have multiple iOS 5 devices then you will need to think about how you want them to work. Do you want separate iMessage accounts for each device? More than likely, you would want one account that stays in sync across all of your devices. If you want separate iMessage accounts for each device, you will need to create separate Apple ID’s for each device, these can be created for free in the iMessage original set up screen. Just select Create New Account.
If you want to have all devices use one iMessage account then you need to input the same Apple ID details into each device iMessage setup page.
That should be all you need to get started with iMessage!

Read More

How to setup iMessage on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch

Wondering how to setup iOS 5′s new iMessage service on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch? Using iMessage you can send text messages, photos, video and much more to other iMessage users around the world, all over your existing data connection. That’s right, no texting plans or charges needed! Here’s how to get started.

Let’s take a look at the iPhone first

• First off ensure your running the latest iOS 5 software
• Select settings
• Select Messages
• Turn the toggle switch for iMessage to on

• You should see a message saying “Activating”
• You can now enter your receive to addresses, this can be an email address (Apple ID) or just your iPhone phone number, or both. The phone number part should already be filled out
• If you have an Apple ID and want to use that as well as your phone number, enter it here

• Once completed you will now have an active iMessage account on your iPhone
• You can toggle various options on and off such as read recipts etc
• Also you have an option to send as an SMS if iMessage data connection is not available

That is all you need, you now have iMessage set up on your iPhone!  

Now for the iPad and iPod touch

Setting up iMessage on the iPad and iPod touch is slightly diferent as these devices do not have any telephone number associated with them.

• First off ensure your running the latest iOS 5 software
• Select settings
• Select Messages
• Turn the toggle switch for iMessage to on
• A new box will open asking you for an Apple ID

• If you have an Apple ID, enter it here
• If you don’t have one, select Create New Account
• Once completed you will now have an active iMessage account on your iPad or iPod touch

Ok now we have iMessage set up there are a few things to consider. If you only have one device then you are fine. If you have multiple iOS 5 devices then you will need to think about how you want them to work. Do you want separate iMessage accounts for each device? More than likely, you would want one account that stays in sync across all of your devices. If you want separate iMessage accounts for each device, you will need to create separate Apple ID’s for each device, these can be created for free in the iMessage original set up screen. Just select Create New Account.
If you want to have all devices use one iMessage account then you need to input the same Apple ID details into each device iMessage setup page.
That should be all you need to get started with iMessage!

Read More

Mimo Mini USB Monitor

While it may seem like an overpriced piece of junk with no useful applications what so ever – it isn’t. The Mimo Mini USB Monitor does not require any external power other than that supplied by the USB port. It also does not require connection to your graphics adapter. The whole thing is self contained and the only connection necessary is that of a USB connector. It is a seven inch widescreen monitor that can be position in a landscape or portrait orientation and it even offers touch screen support (depending on the model). This gives it a range of useful applications. Sometimes you just want a second monitor to send a movie to while gaming or working. Or you need a second monitor to show some plans or a design that you are working from. This is where the Mimo Mini USB Monitor comes into its own.It is also useful for people who need a second monitor for a laptop for portable use. Because the monitor easily packs up for storage and can easily fit next to your laptop in a laptop bag it is a serious contender for a second laptop monitor. It is also useful for people who have very limited space on their desk and will not be able to fit another larger monitor on it. There is a wide variety of uses for the monitor and its usefulness is only limited by your imagination.
It may seem like an extravagant cost for what it is, but it is worth noting that it is designed for a very specific niche. It is plug and play (after the drivers have been installed) and is designed to be as hassle free as possible to use. The touch screen capable version is the version which I find most interesting however. It saves you having to use a keyboard or mouse to activate the material on the second monitor.

Read More

Mimo Mini USB Monitor

While it may seem like an overpriced piece of junk with no useful applications what so ever – it isn’t. The Mimo Mini USB Monitor does not require any external power other than that supplied by the USB port. It also does not require connection to your graphics adapter. The whole thing is self contained and the only connection necessary is that of a USB connector. It is a seven inch widescreen monitor that can be position in a landscape or portrait orientation and it even offers touch screen support (depending on the model). This gives it a range of useful applications. Sometimes you just want a second monitor to send a movie to while gaming or working. Or you need a second monitor to show some plans or a design that you are working from. This is where the Mimo Mini USB Monitor comes into its own.It is also useful for people who need a second monitor for a laptop for portable use. Because the monitor easily packs up for storage and can easily fit next to your laptop in a laptop bag it is a serious contender for a second laptop monitor. It is also useful for people who have very limited space on their desk and will not be able to fit another larger monitor on it. There is a wide variety of uses for the monitor and its usefulness is only limited by your imagination.
It may seem like an extravagant cost for what it is, but it is worth noting that it is designed for a very specific niche. It is plug and play (after the drivers have been installed) and is designed to be as hassle free as possible to use. The touch screen capable version is the version which I find most interesting however. It saves you having to use a keyboard or mouse to activate the material on the second monitor.

Read More

Mimo Mini USB Monitor

While it may seem like an overpriced piece of junk with no useful applications what so ever – it isn’t. The Mimo Mini USB Monitor does not require any external power other than that supplied by the USB port. It also does not require connection to your graphics adapter. The whole thing is self contained and the only connection necessary is that of a USB connector. It is a seven inch widescreen monitor that can be position in a landscape or portrait orientation and it even offers touch screen support (depending on the model). This gives it a range of useful applications. Sometimes you just want a second monitor to send a movie to while gaming or working. Or you need a second monitor to show some plans or a design that you are working from. This is where the Mimo Mini USB Monitor comes into its own.It is also useful for people who need a second monitor for a laptop for portable use. Because the monitor easily packs up for storage and can easily fit next to your laptop in a laptop bag it is a serious contender for a second laptop monitor. It is also useful for people who have very limited space on their desk and will not be able to fit another larger monitor on it. There is a wide variety of uses for the monitor and its usefulness is only limited by your imagination.
It may seem like an extravagant cost for what it is, but it is worth noting that it is designed for a very specific niche. It is plug and play (after the drivers have been installed) and is designed to be as hassle free as possible to use. The touch screen capable version is the version which I find most interesting however. It saves you having to use a keyboard or mouse to activate the material on the second monitor.

Read More

Sony 3D camera

The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5 are touted as the smallest 3D cameras in the world (and they are also affordable). In the past, 3D cameras were only affordable by those in the film industry or contractors who have money to burn. This is now no longer the case. Although these cameras do not support video, they are an amazing advancement of the whole 3D technology industry. They are putting 3D in the hands of consumers. Although getting that perfect 3D shot is not promised as an easy task with these cameras; the ability to do so with an ordinary digital camera device is something that should not be scoffed at.

Of course to take advantage of the 3D imagery that is shot via these cameras will require a 3D television. You also have the option of just shooting your shots with a 2D lens. The cameras have support for the various SD cards available on the market so storage will never be an issue. However, the real selling point for this camera is its capacity to shoot photos in 3D. Now you not only be able to support your memories with photos, but actually get close enough to full immersion in them to almost relive the moments!
Although 3D televisions are expensive, the technology to really utilize them is starting to catch up. It seems like 3D has made a massive jump from expensive fantasy into consumer reality overnight. The technology might have some kinks, but it is to be expected when anything new starts to take hold on the consumer market. I would be surprised if we don’t have affordable 3D video cameras available for consumer use in the next five years at the speed the industry is growing. However, having an affordable camera that takes 3D stills is something I never expected to see so suddenly.

Read More

Sony 3D camera

The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5 are touted as the smallest 3D cameras in the world (and they are also affordable). In the past, 3D cameras were only affordable by those in the film industry or contractors who have money to burn. This is now no longer the case. Although these cameras do not support video, they are an amazing advancement of the whole 3D technology industry. They are putting 3D in the hands of consumers. Although getting that perfect 3D shot is not promised as an easy task with these cameras; the ability to do so with an ordinary digital camera device is something that should not be scoffed at.

Of course to take advantage of the 3D imagery that is shot via these cameras will require a 3D television. You also have the option of just shooting your shots with a 2D lens. The cameras have support for the various SD cards available on the market so storage will never be an issue. However, the real selling point for this camera is its capacity to shoot photos in 3D. Now you not only be able to support your memories with photos, but actually get close enough to full immersion in them to almost relive the moments!
Although 3D televisions are expensive, the technology to really utilize them is starting to catch up. It seems like 3D has made a massive jump from expensive fantasy into consumer reality overnight. The technology might have some kinks, but it is to be expected when anything new starts to take hold on the consumer market. I would be surprised if we don’t have affordable 3D video cameras available for consumer use in the next five years at the speed the industry is growing. However, having an affordable camera that takes 3D stills is something I never expected to see so suddenly.

Read More

Sony 3D camera

The Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX9 and DSC-WX5 are touted as the smallest 3D cameras in the world (and they are also affordable). In the past, 3D cameras were only affordable by those in the film industry or contractors who have money to burn. This is now no longer the case. Although these cameras do not support video, they are an amazing advancement of the whole 3D technology industry. They are putting 3D in the hands of consumers. Although getting that perfect 3D shot is not promised as an easy task with these cameras; the ability to do so with an ordinary digital camera device is something that should not be scoffed at.

Of course to take advantage of the 3D imagery that is shot via these cameras will require a 3D television. You also have the option of just shooting your shots with a 2D lens. The cameras have support for the various SD cards available on the market so storage will never be an issue. However, the real selling point for this camera is its capacity to shoot photos in 3D. Now you not only be able to support your memories with photos, but actually get close enough to full immersion in them to almost relive the moments!
Although 3D televisions are expensive, the technology to really utilize them is starting to catch up. It seems like 3D has made a massive jump from expensive fantasy into consumer reality overnight. The technology might have some kinks, but it is to be expected when anything new starts to take hold on the consumer market. I would be surprised if we don’t have affordable 3D video cameras available for consumer use in the next five years at the speed the industry is growing. However, having an affordable camera that takes 3D stills is something I never expected to see so suddenly.

Read More

Nokia c6-01

Price Range: Rs.17000/-
Nokia C6-01 manufactured by nokia, is soon going to be available in market at the cost of Rs.17000/-.This phone will be available in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. Price of this phone in USD is 329.22$ approximately. The C6-01 is Symbian smartphone with a AMOLED Clear Black capacitive touch display which has improved outdoor visibility and better colors. Highlights of this phone are touch screen, keypad, Wifi and 3G.
8mega pixel camera with 720p video,680 MHz CPU and flash video facilities.

Read More

Nokia c6-01

Price Range: Rs.17000/-
Nokia C6-01 manufactured by nokia, is soon going to be available in market at the cost of Rs.17000/-.This phone will be available in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. Price of this phone in USD is 329.22$ approximately. The C6-01 is Symbian smartphone with a AMOLED Clear Black capacitive touch display which has improved outdoor visibility and better colors. Highlights of this phone are touch screen, keypad, Wifi and 3G.
8mega pixel camera with 720p video,680 MHz CPU and flash video facilities.

Read More

Nokia c6-01

Price Range: Rs.17000/-
Nokia C6-01 manufactured by nokia, is soon going to be available in market at the cost of Rs.17000/-.This phone will be available in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. Price of this phone in USD is 329.22$ approximately. The C6-01 is Symbian smartphone with a AMOLED Clear Black capacitive touch display which has improved outdoor visibility and better colors. Highlights of this phone are touch screen, keypad, Wifi and 3G.
8mega pixel camera with 720p video,680 MHz CPU and flash video facilities.

Read More

BMW X5

Price Range : Rs 69, 50,000
This all new SUV is equipped with full-packed comfort measures topped with its elegant and stylish design. From the exterior, you will see a stunning design that is sure to catch anybody’s attention because all components were meticulously placed from the headlamps to the fog lamps.
In the inside of the SUV is a more comfortable and smooth electronic adjustable leather wrapped steering wheel. A control is mounted letting the driver control the audio without actually reaching the console itself. The advanced music system that produces a clear sound just makes your riding experience more enjoyable than ever before.

Read More

BMW X5

Price Range : Rs 69, 50,000
This all new SUV is equipped with full-packed comfort measures topped with its elegant and stylish design. From the exterior, you will see a stunning design that is sure to catch anybody’s attention because all components were meticulously placed from the headlamps to the fog lamps.
In the inside of the SUV is a more comfortable and smooth electronic adjustable leather wrapped steering wheel. A control is mounted letting the driver control the audio without actually reaching the console itself. The advanced music system that produces a clear sound just makes your riding experience more enjoyable than ever before.

Read More

BMW X5

Price Range : Rs 69, 50,000
This all new SUV is equipped with full-packed comfort measures topped with its elegant and stylish design. From the exterior, you will see a stunning design that is sure to catch anybody’s attention because all components were meticulously placed from the headlamps to the fog lamps.
In the inside of the SUV is a more comfortable and smooth electronic adjustable leather wrapped steering wheel. A control is mounted letting the driver control the audio without actually reaching the console itself. The advanced music system that produces a clear sound just makes your riding experience more enjoyable than ever before.

Read More

Batteries charge quickly and retain capacity

Illinois researchers developed a 3-D nanostructure for battery cathodes that allows for very rapid charge and discharge, without sacrificing capacity.

Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

The batteries in Illinois professor Paul Braun's lab look like any others, but they pack a surprise inside.

Braun's group developed a three-dimensional nanostructure for battery cathodes that allows for dramatically faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity. The researchers' findings would be reported in the March 20 advance online edition of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Aside from quick-charge consumer electronics, batteries that can store a lot of energy, release it fast and recharge quickly are desirable for electric vehicles, medical devices, lasers and military applications.

"This system that we have gives you capacitor-like power with battery-like energy," said Braun, a professor of materials science and engineering. "Most capacitors store very little energy. They can release it very fast, but they can't hold much. Most batteries store a reasonably large amount of energy, but they can't provide or receive energy rapidly. This does both".

The performance of typical lithium-ion (Li-ion) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries degrades significantly when they are rapidly charged or discharged. Making the active material in the battery a thin film allows for very fast charging and discharging, but reduces the capacity to nearly zero because the active material lacks volume to store energy.........

Read More

Batteries charge quickly and retain capacity

Illinois researchers developed a 3-D nanostructure for battery cathodes that allows for very rapid charge and discharge, without sacrificing capacity.

Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

The batteries in Illinois professor Paul Braun's lab look like any others, but they pack a surprise inside.

Braun's group developed a three-dimensional nanostructure for battery cathodes that allows for dramatically faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity. The researchers' findings would be reported in the March 20 advance online edition of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Aside from quick-charge consumer electronics, batteries that can store a lot of energy, release it fast and recharge quickly are desirable for electric vehicles, medical devices, lasers and military applications.

"This system that we have gives you capacitor-like power with battery-like energy," said Braun, a professor of materials science and engineering. "Most capacitors store very little energy. They can release it very fast, but they can't hold much. Most batteries store a reasonably large amount of energy, but they can't provide or receive energy rapidly. This does both".

The performance of typical lithium-ion (Li-ion) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries degrades significantly when they are rapidly charged or discharged. Making the active material in the battery a thin film allows for very fast charging and discharging, but reduces the capacity to nearly zero because the active material lacks volume to store energy.........

Read More

Batteries charge quickly and retain capacity

Illinois researchers developed a 3-D nanostructure for battery cathodes that allows for very rapid charge and discharge, without sacrificing capacity.

Credit: L. Brian Stauffer

The batteries in Illinois professor Paul Braun's lab look like any others, but they pack a surprise inside.

Braun's group developed a three-dimensional nanostructure for battery cathodes that allows for dramatically faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity. The researchers' findings would be reported in the March 20 advance online edition of the journal Nature Nanotechnology.

Aside from quick-charge consumer electronics, batteries that can store a lot of energy, release it fast and recharge quickly are desirable for electric vehicles, medical devices, lasers and military applications.

"This system that we have gives you capacitor-like power with battery-like energy," said Braun, a professor of materials science and engineering. "Most capacitors store very little energy. They can release it very fast, but they can't hold much. Most batteries store a reasonably large amount of energy, but they can't provide or receive energy rapidly. This does both".

The performance of typical lithium-ion (Li-ion) or nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries degrades significantly when they are rapidly charged or discharged. Making the active material in the battery a thin film allows for very fast charging and discharging, but reduces the capacity to nearly zero because the active material lacks volume to store energy.........

Read More