Rechargeable Batteries -
The recent proliferation of portable electronic devices has created a demand for more powerful, more reliable, and less expensive battery power. Traditional one-time-use carbon-zinc "heavy-duty" batteries were far too weak to operate many modern electronics, so manufacturers recommended alkaline batteries in their place. "Alkalines" offered much greater energy storage, but they were an expensive one-time-use disposable alternative that was not suited to the increased power requirements of most portable electronics.
The answer was found in rechargeable batteries-an energy source that is powerful, reliable, and reusable-costing just pennies per use.
Rechargeable batteries offer the energy capacity needed for power-hungry computers, tools, and electronics. Unfortunately, there are several competing technologies on the market. Deciphering the differences is easier with some insight to the technology behind the battery.
Nickel-cadmium (NiCd)
The nickel-cadmium battery (NiCd) was the first widely used rechargeable battery on the market to challenge the disposable battery. When fully charged, a NiCd battery will have a nominal charge of 1.2 volts. This is lower than the 1.5 volts found with traditional zinc-carbon or alkaline batteries, but most electronic devices will operate perfectly well with the reduced voltage. As a NiCd battery discharges, it maintains a near constant voltage making them excellent choices for very high-drain electronics such as cordless power tools and remote-controlled toys.
The benefits of a NiCd battery include their ability to be recharged hundreds of times, and their resistance to high loads or surges. Disadvantages include a "memory effect" of charging levels that can drastically reduce the service life of the battery if it is not charged properly. The NiCd battery also contains cadmium, a heavy metal that is toxic to the environment. All NiCd batteries should be recycled through different municipal and commercial programs and not disposed with household rubbish.
Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
A nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery is similar to a NiCd rechargeable battery, but with improved performance. Like the NiCd, the NiMH battery has a nominal charge of 1.2 volts that it maintains for most of its service life with a very consistent discharge. The NiMH battery is much more powerful than the NiCd as it has the ability to hold nearly three times the energy. The capacity to hold additional energy and their ability to be recharged at any time without suffering from any "memory effect" makes the NiMH battery very popular for moderate drain devices such as flashlights, digital cameras, and hybrid vehicles.
The benefits of the NiMH include their cadmium-free environmentally friendly design, their high-power capacity, and their rapidly dropping retail price. The biggest disadvantage to NiMH battery technology is the inability to hold a charge for an extended period. While an alkaline or NiCd battery can be left in storage for months without energy loss, the NiMH battery will nearly completely discharge if left unattended for several months.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Rechargeable lithium batteries (Li-ion) offer amazing performance for their and weight. A typical Li-ion battery has a nominal charge of about 3.6 volts-more than double that of a typical Alkaline, NiCd, or NiMH. They also weigh much less than the other types of batteries. A Li-ion battery also has a very slow discharge rate and no apparent "memory effect" from recharging. This makes them optimal for use in specialized electronics such as laptop computers.
On the downside, Li-ion batteries are very sensitive to temperature and the way they are recharged. High temperatures can cause the batteries to fail much earlier than their designed service life, and batteries that are not charged properly with their manufacturer-provided chargers can be dangerous (most rechargeable battery recalls are for Li-ion batteries). For this reason, and to prevent their accidental use in NiCd or NiMH battery chargers, Li-ion batteries are not sold in consumer-friendly s (AAA, AA, C, and D).
What does the future hold?
Many consumers purchase batteries for an immediate need. Unfortunately, most rechargeable batteries are currently sold "drained" (without a charge)-they cannot be used without an initial several-hour charge. This has hurt the rechargeable battery industry as it keeps many consumers away from the technology. Over the next few years, advancements will increase the storage life of NiMH batteries allowing them to be sold fully charged, making them more appealing at the time of purchase.
As new electronics demand more from batteries, battery technology will also improve. Upcoming rechargeable batteries will offer increased capacity, lighter materials, and drastically reduced recharging times-possibly making the rechargeable battery the exclusive power source in the future.
The answer was found in rechargeable batteries-an energy source that is powerful, reliable, and reusable-costing just pennies per use.
Rechargeable batteries offer the energy capacity needed for power-hungry computers, tools, and electronics. Unfortunately, there are several competing technologies on the market. Deciphering the differences is easier with some insight to the technology behind the battery.
Nickel-cadmium (NiCd)
The nickel-cadmium battery (NiCd) was the first widely used rechargeable battery on the market to challenge the disposable battery. When fully charged, a NiCd battery will have a nominal charge of 1.2 volts. This is lower than the 1.5 volts found with traditional zinc-carbon or alkaline batteries, but most electronic devices will operate perfectly well with the reduced voltage. As a NiCd battery discharges, it maintains a near constant voltage making them excellent choices for very high-drain electronics such as cordless power tools and remote-controlled toys.
The benefits of a NiCd battery include their ability to be recharged hundreds of times, and their resistance to high loads or surges. Disadvantages include a "memory effect" of charging levels that can drastically reduce the service life of the battery if it is not charged properly. The NiCd battery also contains cadmium, a heavy metal that is toxic to the environment. All NiCd batteries should be recycled through different municipal and commercial programs and not disposed with household rubbish.
Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
A nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery is similar to a NiCd rechargeable battery, but with improved performance. Like the NiCd, the NiMH battery has a nominal charge of 1.2 volts that it maintains for most of its service life with a very consistent discharge. The NiMH battery is much more powerful than the NiCd as it has the ability to hold nearly three times the energy. The capacity to hold additional energy and their ability to be recharged at any time without suffering from any "memory effect" makes the NiMH battery very popular for moderate drain devices such as flashlights, digital cameras, and hybrid vehicles.
The benefits of the NiMH include their cadmium-free environmentally friendly design, their high-power capacity, and their rapidly dropping retail price. The biggest disadvantage to NiMH battery technology is the inability to hold a charge for an extended period. While an alkaline or NiCd battery can be left in storage for months without energy loss, the NiMH battery will nearly completely discharge if left unattended for several months.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
Rechargeable lithium batteries (Li-ion) offer amazing performance for their and weight. A typical Li-ion battery has a nominal charge of about 3.6 volts-more than double that of a typical Alkaline, NiCd, or NiMH. They also weigh much less than the other types of batteries. A Li-ion battery also has a very slow discharge rate and no apparent "memory effect" from recharging. This makes them optimal for use in specialized electronics such as laptop computers.
On the downside, Li-ion batteries are very sensitive to temperature and the way they are recharged. High temperatures can cause the batteries to fail much earlier than their designed service life, and batteries that are not charged properly with their manufacturer-provided chargers can be dangerous (most rechargeable battery recalls are for Li-ion batteries). For this reason, and to prevent their accidental use in NiCd or NiMH battery chargers, Li-ion batteries are not sold in consumer-friendly s (AAA, AA, C, and D).
What does the future hold?
Many consumers purchase batteries for an immediate need. Unfortunately, most rechargeable batteries are currently sold "drained" (without a charge)-they cannot be used without an initial several-hour charge. This has hurt the rechargeable battery industry as it keeps many consumers away from the technology. Over the next few years, advancements will increase the storage life of NiMH batteries allowing them to be sold fully charged, making them more appealing at the time of purchase.
As new electronics demand more from batteries, battery technology will also improve. Upcoming rechargeable batteries will offer increased capacity, lighter materials, and drastically reduced recharging times-possibly making the rechargeable battery the exclusive power source in the future.
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