New Page 1

Today's Batteries

Categories of Batteries

Batteries can be generally divided into two main categories - rechargeable and disposable.

Types of Batteries

Zinc-carbon battery - Also known as a standard carbon battery, zinc-carbon chemistry is used in all inexpensive AA, C and D dry-cell batteries. The electrodes are zinc and carbon, with an acidic paste between them that serves as the electrolyte.

Alkaline battery - Used in common Duracell and Energizer batteries, the electrodes are zinc and manganese-oxide, with an alkaline electrolyte. Used in devices with a high power drain such as a boom box. Heavy Duty: ideal for moderate to low drain devices such as flashlights. General Purpose: for devices which are used infrequently and have low power drains.

Lithium photo battery - Lithium, lithium-iodide and lead-iodide are used in cameras because of their ability to supply power surges.

Lead-acid battery - Used in automobiles, the electrodes are made of lead and lead-oxide with a strong acidic electrolyte (rechargeable).

Nickel-cadmium battery (NiCd) The electrodes are nickel-hydroxide and cadmium, with potassium-hydroxide as the electrolyte (rechargeable). Sizes range from AA, AAA, C, D, and 9 volt sizes. You'll need to have a charger in order to use these over and over again.

Nickel-metal hydride battery (Ni-MH) This battery is rapidly replacing nickel-cadmium because it does not suffer from the memory effect that nickel-cadmiums do (rechargeable). These batteries meet the demanding power needs for today’s high-tech devices, such as digital cameras, handheld TVs, two-way radios, and personal organizers.

2300 AA Battery coming in April 2004

Lithium-ion battery (Li-Ion) With a very good power-to-weight ratio, this is often found in high-end laptop computers and cell phones (rechargeable). Can also be used for watches, calculators, and other memory backup systems

Li-ion battery used in Laptop computers

Silver-zinc battery - This is used in aeronautical applications because the power-to-weight ratio is good.

Sodium sulfur - Na S - high energy storage capacity, don't discharge like the Nickel batteries, and are fairly cheap. have to run at temperatures where the sodium and sulfur are liquids- this is between 290 and 390 degrees C. they can only be recharged about 500 times before they need to be replaced.

Battery Lab - Panasonic

Battery quiz

Automotive battery information