Originally invented in 1841 by a scientist called Alexander Bain, the Earth Battery works by harnessing the electrical power of the earth to deliver an electrical charge. Alexander Bain was attempting to power telegraph lines when he discovered that burying a pair of electrodes made from different metals in damp ground or in water allowed […]
Aluminium air, or al-air, batteries are a major potential technology in the world of electric vehicles. Although they’re not currently routinely used in electric cars, this could change in the near future. Al-air batteries have a number of advantages over the lithium ion batteries which are generally used in electric cars. Aluminium is one of […]
The voltaic pile was invented by Italian chemist Alessandro Volta to provide a continuous electrical current to a circuit. It is widely hailed as the first battery invented and was widely used throughout the 19th century for industrial purposes until it was overtaken by the dynamo in the 1870s. The voltaic pile battery consisted of […]
The Daniell cell was invented by John Frederic Daniell in 1836. He was a British meteorologist and chemist who was looking to eliminate the voltaic pile’s hydrogen bubble issue and determined that zinc sulphate or sulphuric acid could be used to consume the hydrogen produced by the battery. His electrochemical cell consisted of an unglazed […]
Lithium metal batteries (sometimes also called ‘primary’ batteries) have metallic lithium as an anode, and are different to lithium-ion batteries, which contain both positive and negative electrodes. Lithium metal batteries are considered the optimum form of high specific energy batteries. Lithium metal batteries are usually non-rechargeable and can be found in a variety of applications, […]
A silver oxide battery is a primary cell with high energy density. Typically available as button cells, these types of batteries are primarily used in small appliances. A silver oxide battery has a silver cathode and a zinc anode. Energy is created through zinc oxidation with the silver oxide. What are silver oxide batteries used […]
A silver oxide battery is a primary cell with high energy density. Typically available as button cells, these types of batteries are primarily used in small appliances. A silver oxide battery has a silver cathode and a zinc anode. Energy is created through zinc oxidation with the silver oxide. What are silver oxide batteries used […]
Potatoes are not a source of electricity in themselves but can act as batteries, as can many other fruits and vegetables, including strawberries and bananas. A potato battery is quick to make and you only need a few pieces of copper wire, pennies, zinc-plated nails, and an LED light bulb to see it live in […]
One of the most widely used batteries on the market, alkaline batteries are popular due to their long shelf life and ability to work at low temperatures. Alkaline batteries are so called because of the alkaline electrolyte used in them. Over time, they have gradually replaced acid zinc carbon batteries. An alkaline battery uses zinc […]
The lithium-air (Li-air) battery works by using the cells inside to create voltage from the availability of oxygen molecules (O2). This is the positive electrode. The oxygen molecules (O2) then react with the positively charged lithium ions, forming lithium peroxide (Li2O2) and in doing so, generating electrical energy. Electrons are removed from the electrode. This […]
