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Battery breakthrough set to accelerate electric-car development

A team of scientists working at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are claiming a significant breakthrough in recharging times for lithium-ion batteries. According to findings published in the scientific journal Nature, MIT researchers Byoungwoo Kang and Gerbrand Ceder have unlocked the potential of lithium-ion batteries by patenting a unique process which is claimed to allow a typical laptop power pack to be fully recharged in less than a minute--an improvement in recharging performance of roughly 90 percent over existing lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries generate electric current via the flow of lithium ions across an electrolyte, from an electrode to a cathode.

Lexus reclaims the top spot in J.D. Power quality study

Lexus reclaimed the top spot in J.D. Power and Associates' annual benchmark study of vehicle quality, while U.S. luxury rival Cadillac continued its rebound and Lincoln plunged.

Car Design of the Year 2008

As the year draws to a close, it's time once again for us to ask you, our readers, to vote for your favorite car designs of 2008. Your votes will decide which design teams will be presented an award by the CDN team at the Geneva auto show in March, with prizes being given to the best vehicle in the concept and production car categories. We've selected our picks of the production and concept vehicles unveiled since the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, and now it's up to you to decide which ones gain the accolade of Car Design of the Year.