Toshiba Corp. showed off at Ceatac Japan here a new notebook computer and an electric bicycle, both featuring its Super Charge ion battery called SCiB. Toshiba has demonstrated a SCiB battery designed for laptops, at this year's CEATEC exhibition, taking place in Japan between September 30 and October 4. The showcased battery is said to be capable of recharging up to 90% of its capacity within just 10 minutes.

Toshiba used a new negative electrode material in its SCiB. Rather than carbon, it uses Li4Ti5012 (lithium titanate) in the new battery, resulting in a shorter recharge time and an improved recharge lifecycle, according to the company.

For example, the SCiB's recharge lifecycle has been improved to 6,000 times, compared to previously possible 500 times.

The SCiB technology provides highly reliable rechargeable performance, even at extreme temperatures.


The SCiB batteries are also claimed to be much safer than current Lithium-Ion ones and, furthermore, that they will not explode when crushed, something that can happen with lithium batteries. This feature became possible thanks to the use of a material that has a higher level of thermal stability, and because SCiB batteries are designed with safeguards against short-circuits or overheating.

Toshiba did not detail a specific upcoming model that would be equipped with the SCiB, as neither did it disclose a specific date for when the SCiB-powered laptops were expected to hit the market. However, in case this new technology makes its way into upcoming portable computer systems, it will certainly impact the market in a positive way.