Recharge an AA battery in 9 seconds

Scientists have discovered a new method of charging batteries that could see AA batteries fully recharged in just nine seconds.

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found a tunnel shaped lithium compound that drastically improves the speed of electron transfer within rechargeable batteries.

Current charge time for an AA battery can be up to four hours, so the technology improves charge time by 1600%.

Applications for the technology are widespread, including laptops, iPods and electric cars.

Using the technology, a mobile phone would take around ten seconds to charge, whilst an electric car would be fully charged in around five minutes.

An electric car with a fast charge time would be more viable for long journeys.

At the moment, most electric cars have to be charged overnight, and have a range of 50-100 miles.