Air-based battery promises 10 times the power

The Stair cell is expected to be cheaper than rechargeable batteries of today, the researchers said. The new component is made of porous carbon, which is much less expensive than the lithium cobalt oxide it would be replacing.

"The key is to use oxygen in the air as a reagent, rather than carry the necessary chemicals around inside the battery," Bruce said.

This image shows a diagram of the Stair, indicating how oxygen drawn from the air reacts within the porous carbon to release the electrical charge in the battery.

The four-year research project began two years ago and is scheduled to end in June 2011. Bruce expects it will be at least five years before the Stair cell is commercially available.