Place your bets....
....as to how long this cell tech will take to get to the UK.
Even if we invent it the UK gets it last.
Li-ion battery technology looks set to be given a new lease of life with the emergence of an improved electrolyte process that promises increased heat tolerance and a significantly longer lifespan. Li-Imide Today's Li-ion batteries have limited lifespans thanks to the build up of crystal deposits within the electrolyte that …
"""and when are they going to have AA/AAA sizes to power other consumer kit?"""
Short answer: Never.
Long answer: Cell voltage depends on the chemicals inside the battery. Your standard Alkaline battery runs at 1.5V, and a rechargeable NiCd or NiMH will do 1.2V - close enough. Unfortunately most lithium-ion batteries produce around 4V per cell, and I imagine that lots of consumer electronics which expect 3V would not get along well on 8V. Not for long, in any case.