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As the demand for 24/7, on-the-go technology increases, so does the demand for a battery worthy of our seemingly inexhaustible devotion to our devices.  But the need for bolstered batteries doesn’t simply with phones, computers, and tablets; it is also one of the main limiting factors in creating a true electric vehicle (EV) revolution.

The New York Times article “Building a Better Battery” addresses the need for a battery that can truly go the distance, whether the distance in question be miles driven or movies streamed.  Tony Fadell, the former Apple VP and integral figure behind the iPhone and iPod, makes the point that putting your faith (and funds) into a battery breakthrough is “a fool’s errand.”  Instead, Mr. Fadell believes it is better to improve battery life and functionality through small steps and improvements.

The fact that this is a very relevant issue for almost all Americans is both good and bad.  It’s bad because we’re struggling, at present, to get the most out of our devices without feeling tethered to an outlet or charging station.  However, because of its prevalence it’s also a great problem to have.  Mujeeb Ijaz, the chief technology officer at A123 Systems (which builds batteries for electric cars, as well as invests in battery tech start-ups), states that this demand for longer-lasting batteries and charging technology wasn’t there five years ago: “Now it’s a matter of the market and the developers coming together and saying, what is the need and how many R&D dollars do we put in?”  This is the only true way to make strides, not simply baby steps, in the evolution of the battery and the subsequent industries that rely on it.

Read the entire New York Times article here.