The Basics of Battery Technology

Battery technology has come a long way over the centuries. Copper and lime or lemon juice has given way to exotic metals such as nickel and metal hydride. If you're curious about how batteries are made, what makes them work, or how to extend their lives, this is the right guide for you.

Battery technology has come a long way since the days of the citric juice and clay pot batteries that archaeologists believe the ancient Egyptians designed thousands of years ago. There are many different types of batteries, with almost as many applications as there are battery types. This guide references a wealth of information regarding alkaline and rechargeable batteries. Whether you’re just looking to find out how batteries work or you’re looking for the best battery for your laptop or cell phone, you’ll find referenced here an article that will help you make that decision. You’ll also discover ways to help extend your battery’s life and how to recycle your batteries responsibly when they are no longer any use to you..

Some Examples of Batteries

Different Types of Automotive Batteries

Types and Designs

There are dozens of different sizes and shapes; from tiny wafer-type watch and hearing aid batteries to huge shipboard and utility system batteries, there’s a battery for just about any power need. Coupled with the multitude of sizes, there are also a wide variety of chemicals used to make batteries, such as Nickel-Metal Hydride, Lithium-ion, lead-acid, and many others. You’ll read all about the various chemicals that batteries are made with. You’ll discover how the various chemicals and compounds the battery is made of work together to cause it to produce an electrical voltage, and you’ll also be given information on some of the many different ways that batteries are used, from cell phones and laptops, to uninterruptible power supplies for buildings and power utilities.

Alkaline Battery Construction

About Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries are unique in that when they go dead, you can, with the right equipment, induce a complete new charge into them, allowing you to use them again. Some rechargeable batteries, such as car batteries, allow for the battery to be discharged and recharged thousands of times over the lifetime of the battery. Batteries for personal electronic devices, such as MP3 players, digital cameras, cell phones, flashlights, and portable stereos, can normally be recharged as many as one thousand times. You’ll find information on how to care for rechargeable batteries and extend their usable life. You’ll also find some information on how rechargeable batteries are rechargeable. Wondering why your rechargeable batteries aren’t holding a charge for as long as they should? You’ll read some useful troubleshooting tips so that you can have a chance to regain some of that usable life back.

Battery Reviews by Application

The amount of usable life a battery has depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the construction methods and materials and your usage habits. If the battery in your laptop isn’t holding a charge for as long as it used to, it may be time to replace it. You’ll find some information here that will help you make an informed buying decision to help you get the best battery for your money. You’ll also find a comparison of the batteries available for your laptop- both manufacturer specific and less expensive compatible models. You’re also going to find some helpful information on the best batteries for your cell phone and marine applications as well. Additionally, you’ll find some information on what the best batteries for digital cameras. Lastly, you’ll find some information on what you can expect from notebook batteries.

Extending Battery Life in Selected Devices

Hearing your cell phone or digital camera’s low battery warning tone can be frustrating. This is especially true if you’re in the middle of a conversation and nowhere near a charger. Or maybe you’re at a family gathering taking pictures with your digital camera when you hear that beeping tone telling you the camera is shutting off. If you own an HTC, Blackberry, or iPhone, you’ll find some tips and tricks to help you extend the life of your cell phone’s battery. You’ll also find out how to maximize the life of the battery(ies) powering your digital camera.

Special Considerations in Marine Battery Applications

Batteries have been used in ships for a quite a long time. The original submarines that weren’t human-powered were powered by batteries. However, these early batteries had a major drawback that sometimes proved fatal to the sub’s crew: Exposure of the batteries to salt water, even in small quantities, caused the generation of deadly chlorine gas. Marine battery technology has evolved over the years. Referenced below you’ll find lists of battery types that are in use in marine applications as well as information on how these batteries are maintained aboard ship. Anchors Aweigh, matey!

Responsible Battery Recycling

Environmental responsibility is high on many peoples’ lists these days. The chemicals used in batteries, whether they’re regular alkaline batteries or one of the many varieties of rechargeable batteries, can cause severe problems to ground water sources and the ground in and around where they’re improperly disposed of. Referenced below you’ll find a wealth of information regarding the process by which batteries are recycled as well as information on how you can responsibly recycle your used batteries when you’re through with them.