Nanopores Enable Battery Miniaturization

That's all very good, but the problem with all small batteries is the resultant small capacity.

It's OK to be able to recharge in minutes just so long as you don't have to recharge every other minute.

Engineers research students at the University of Maryland have demonstrated "proof of concept" in storing energy in nanopores. They have produced a video showing young ladies making claims and putting the technology into the public domain, making it unpatentable and therefore unattractive to a potential manufacturer. They are claiming; high energy densities - without quoting figures, low manufacturing costs - based on two or three tiny wafers produced in the lab, 1000 recharges - without stating how much the storage capacity degrades or what happens after 1000 recharges. They are not stating; efficiency, storage duration, discharge rates, 'battery' life, toxicity, whole life recycle ability. Without further information we do not know if their concept will become a revolutionary cheap battery or a revolutionary expensive capacitor.

Another department of University of Maryland has proved that you can store electrical energy in wood! It appears that both departments are making claims, competing for limited funding to continue research. Each may have a viable concept, but don't hold your breath waiting for a product to emerge.

Another instance of sloppy reporting of science.