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Batteries

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Why Western tech companies want more control over minerals in Africa

by Molly Wood , Stephanie Hughes and Shaheen Ainpour
Mar 2, 2018
Modern electronics rely heavily on one thing: lithium ion batteries. With carmakers gearing up to increase electric vehicle production, the demand for lithium ion batteries doesn’t appear to be slowing down. These batteries rely on an increasingly important supply of the metal cobalt. Most cobalt is mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central […]
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Marketplace Tech Blogs

Will the U.S. invent the next generation of batteries?

by Molly Wood and Kristin Schwab
Dec 8, 2017
A potential lack of government funding could help other countries pull ahead.
GERARD JULIEN/AFP/GettyImages
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Lithium-ion batteries are about as good as they can get

by Molly Wood and Kristin Schwab
Dec 7, 2017
But it's just a matter of time before the problem is solved, a UC Berkeley engineer says.
To make lithium-ion batteries better, you have to invent new materials, says Kristin Persson of UC Berkeley.
David Becker/Getty Images
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Exploding batteries and more: Samsung's week from hell

by Amy Scott
Sep 9, 2016
Its global Galaxy Note 7 smartphone recall coincided with Apple's new iPhone launch.
In addition to reports that the Galaxy Note 7's battery can catch fire and explode, the Federal Aviation Administration has warned passengers not to use Samsung's phones in flight or check them in baggage.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
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Why your cell phone battery life still stinks

by Ben Johnson
Apr 9, 2015
Unlike massive leaps in computing technology, batteries are tough to improve.
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Banking on the electric-car battery boom

by Scott Tong
Feb 10, 2015
In his new book, Steve LeVine details what sparks battery innovation.
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New chapter in Duracell's history

by Adriene Hill
Oct 24, 2014
P&G announces plans to spin off Duracell.
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A better battery is hard to invent

by Scott Tong
Oct 17, 2014
Better batteries are the key to better consumer electronics and electric cars.
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Tesla bets on the present while the future races on

by Scott Tong
Sep 5, 2014
Tesla is relying on fab efficiency to cut prices on an established type of battery.
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Car companies are happy to lose money on electric cars

by Stacey Vanek Smith
Jul 28, 2014
Why Nissan is willing to lose money on the Leaf.
 A Nissan Leaf electric vehicle is displayed at Star Nissan on December 3, 2012 in Niles, Illinois.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
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