Is aluminium the answer to all our battery prayers?

New research pushes aluminium batteries as the next generation technology to revolutionise mobile devices, but what else could finally make smartphones last more than a day

New research by Stanford University into aluminium batteries promises to produce cells that are big enough for a smartphone and charge in just 60 seconds.

The new high-performance aluminium-ion battery is the first using the metal - more commonly found in aircraft and car bodies - to demonstrate long life and fast charging. It does this using a graphite electrode. Previous aluminium batteries have suffered from poor life, failing after 100 recharge cycles.

Pros: fast charging, longer recharge life (ie the number of times it can be recharged)

Cons: similar energy density to current batteries means similar battery life

Pros: at least twice the battery life

Cons: low recharge life, volatile chemistry, similar recharge times

Pros: very high energy density means fantastic battery life

Cons: difficult to recharge, poor recharging life

Pros: twice the battery life, safer, could be made into different shapes and sizes, more environmentally friendly

Cons: not many

Pros: almost instant charging, very long recharge life, potential for use as a secondary electricity storage device in electric cars

Cons: low energy density, therefore lower battery life