Israeli Startup StoreDot Charges Smartphone Battery in Just 30 Seconds

An Israel-based startup has developed a prototype charger capable of recharging a battery for a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone in 30 seconds.

StoreDot unveiled the charging device and battery at Microsoft's Think Next conference in Tel Aviv on Monday, claiming that the technology could soon be used for other smartphones.

Although still a very long way off from being used commercially, the technology could hold promise for smartphone battery life improvement in the future.

A demonstration video published by StoreDot shows the charge of the Galaxy S4's battery rise from 27% to 100% in just over 30 seconds.

Inspired by nature

The real advance lies in the battery itself rather than the charger. Bio-organically derived "nanodots" in the electrode (which stores the energy) and the electrolytes (which transfer the energy) allow the battery to charge much faster.

"Our innovative nanotechnology, inspired by nature, changes the rules of mobile device capabilities," said Dr. Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot. "Our novel approach of utilizing synthesized bio-nanomaterials could shape next-generation devices."

By using naturally occurring compounds, StoreDot claims that it also means the battery is cheap to produce.

For the moment, however, the battery is too bulky to fit within the normal case of the smartphone and is incapable of holding as much charge as a normal Galaxy S4 battery.

The charger too is currently the size of a laptop charger and costs twice that of conventional phone chargers.

StoreDot announced plans to mass produce the battery and charger in late 2016 following further development.