Super Batteries*

Ran across a great little article in March's edition of Wired Magazine about the new M1 Battery by a MIT spinoff company called A123 Systems.  By shrinking the storage particles in the batteries to nanoscale (wicked small), the power storage doubles, output increases 500%, recharge time drops dramatically to 90% within 5+ minutes, and the battery size decreases significantly.  While this is very cool for the first crop of DeWalt portable power tools to use these batteries, the real crosshairs are pointing to hybrid and electric automobiles.  Initial research shows that this battery would shave 80% off the weight of current hybrid batteries, while giving a big boost to vehicle performance, ultimately nearly eliminating the need for gasoline.  Way cool.