Reports today point to Apple doing some research into development techniques to maximize lithium batteries by ensuring they run longer without making the batteries physically larger. Such batteries are found in Apple’s MacBook line of computers and iDevices.

AppleInsider reports on an Apple patent filing called “Increasing Energy Density in Rechargeable Lithium Battery Cells”. The technique described in the filing uses a method called “multi-step constant-current constant-voltage (CC-CV) charging technique.” It sounds good, as any increased battery life in iDevices is always a wonderful thing.

The battery patent further describes new charging methods that would reduce battery degradation over time. Again, good in theory.

I hope this all ends up becoming available in the next iPhone!

[AppleInsider]