The Invention and Development of the Battery

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The invention and development of the battery would have to be one of the most significant in human history. Without batteries, the world would be a very different place. Everything would be plugged in and nothing would be mobile. There are many types of batteries that work in many different ways, but they all have the same common goal of making lives easier. Some examples of these batteries are lithium-ion, lead-acid, and nickel-cadmium. Lithium-ion batteries are the most accepted battery for portable equipment such as laptops and cellphones. The density of these batteries is normally twice that of nickel-cadmium making them more desirable for portable devices. The chemistry of these batteries is better for the environment because it causes nearly no harm when disposed of. Advantages of these batteries are that it has a high density of energy and still has room to improve for future applications. This type of battery doesn’t need “priming” for first uses compared to other batteries. Also, it has a very low self-discharge, meaning the battery can retain its charge for prolonged periods of time. Furthermore, compared to other batteries, it can provide higher current to power tools and a more consistent power output, all the way until the battery is nearly dead. This battery does have a couple limitations such as circuit protection to maintain voltage and current levels. Also, when this battery is not in use it still continues to age. It has a limited number of life cycles until the battery starts to lose capacity. Lithium-ion batteries are also more expensive to manufacture when compared to other batteries on the market. Overall, the advantages of lithium-ion batteries outweigh the disadvantages, thus making it a great candida... ... middle of paper ... ...t. This effect is often seen when a battery is recharged before it has been completely discharged. Over time, this cycle causes the battery to “remember” the lower energy capacity which results in an incomplete charge. This effect comes into play when a battery is discharged to the same point repeatedly and then recharged. This causes a chemical difference between the active and inactive layers of conductive material. The result of this is reduced battery life at the point which the cell is usually recharged. In conclusion, the best type of battery varies depending on the certain situation. For instance, lithium-ion cells are best for cellphones while lead-acid cells are best for automobiles. Each type of battery has their own advantages and disadvantages, so sacrifices must be made. The chosen battery will depend on the design specifications and requirements.

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