What if your smartphone battery could charge 70 percent in just two minutes? It could happen soon. A Singapore university announced a breakthrough that not only allows batteries to charge very quickly, but also extends their life. A lithium ion battery today can typically be recharged about 500 times. This new battery would last through about 10,000 recharges — or 20 years! Scientists hope the battery will allow electric cars travel farther and charge in the same amount of time it takes to stop at a gas station.