New Rechargeable Batteries that Last Longer -- and Won't Blow Up

I should start this blog by admitting that I know next to nothing about the chemistry of batteries. But the pitch I got on silver-zinc batteries from a company called ZPower sounded really good: Rechargeable batteries that last 30 percent longer than lithium-ion batteries, won't burst into flames and are recyclable.

Because the batteries' chemistry is water-based, they aren't flammable even if they're subject to the kind of manufacturing defects that have caused the recalls of so many lithium-ion batteries over the past year and a half. As a result, they're not subject to the recent ban on putting backup batteries in airline checked baggage.

More than 95 percent of the silver and zinc used in the batteries can be recycled and put into ... more batteries, according to ZPower.

A company rep told me the batteries will show up as an option in one brand of notebook (she wouldn't say which brand) later this year. Since they last longer, they'll likely cost more, but they don't cost much more to produce than lithium-ion batteries.

Saving the Earth, getting more power per charge and not risking flaming lap? Sounds like a good deal to me.

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