So long as we have mobile technology, we have to be concerned with batteries. Researchers at NTT DoCoMo have completed development of an intelligent lithium-ion battery that monitors its own health (and charge status) and assembles reports that are accessible by users.

How is this possible you ask? Why through a digital brain of course. Each unit would contain an embedded 8-bit microcomputer inside the battery itself that records and stores the data. The information can then be called up to the handset by the user to see how the battery's feeling (and whether or not it's time for repaire or replacement).

Maybe you're saying to yourself "big deal, my phone does that now". Here's the real benefit to the smart battery- The information stays with the battery and not the handset, which means even if it is swapped out into another phone, the information will still be available.

NTT DoCoMo says the batteries will be ready for phones next year. For more details, click here.