A new technology developed by Samsung may possibly almost double the life capacity of the lithium-ion batteries that power its current smartphones. This new technology entails addition of a silicon material to the conventional lithium-ion layer with a view to augment the energy capacity as well as durability of the battery.

According to a report in IB Times, the objective is to take advantage of silicon covering that supports graphene (pure carbon) growth over the silicon nanoparticles of the battery, but doesn't result in the formation of silicon carbide that may interrupt the transfer of energy. During research testing, it was found that this technique augmented energy densities from 1.5 to 1.8 times above the existing levels. The results of the research were published online in Nature last week.

The study, led by In Hyuk Son and Jong Hwan Park from Samsung's Advanced Institute of Technology and Energy Material Lab in South Korea, was undertaken in collaboration with other associated Korean researchers of materials science. Currently, Samsung is said to be in the process of patenting the technology.

The report stated that for long, battery technology has been one of the problematic areas of smartphones. While there has been significant progress in the technology related to camera functions, processing speeds and storage space over the years, the battery life of smartphones has fallen behind, as different handset manufacturers have been pushing sleeker, more powerful devices.

This, however, does not suggest that researchers - those affiliated with various smartphone manufacturers as well as those engaged in materials science labs throughout the world, have not undertaken sufficient studies on the subject and made pioneering discoveries. For instance, in October 2014, scientists at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University discovered a technique to supercharge a battery from dead to 70 percent in fewer than 2 minutes. A press release claimed that the researchers substituted the graphite in a traditional lithium-ion battery with titanium dioxide.

Meanwhile, a report in 9to5Google notes that the new technology developed by Samsung could be used to make the smartphone slimmer or the augment the battery power. Irrespective of what purpose the findings of the research fulfill eventually, it will take some time for the new technology to enter the consumer market, because further tests are necessary. Therefore, consumers should not expect to see the technology incorporated in upcoming Samsung smartphone models, the report adds.