Batteries — a summary of what can be found in small devices

(Not so) boring history.

Batteries have come a long way since the first discovery of the voltaic pile in the late 18th century by Alessandro Volta. Over the years, researchers and engineers have continued to improve upon the basic design, striving to make batteries more efficient, lightweight, and environmentally friendly.

Fun facts

1. The first battery, known as the “Voltaic Pile,” was invented by Italian scientist Alessandro Volta in 1800. It was a stack of alternating zinc and copper discs, separated by cardboard soaked in saltwater.
2. The term “battery” was coined by Benjamin Franklin, who referred to a series of linked Leyden jars (an early form of a capacitor) as a “battery of jars.”
3. The first rechargeable battery, the lead-acid battery, was invented by French physicist Gaston Planté in 1859. Today, lead-acid batteries are still commonly used in automobiles for starting, lighting, and ignition systems.
4. Thomas Edison developed the nickel-iron battery in 1901, which was a more durable and long-lasting alternative to lead-acid batteries. These batteries were widely used in early electric vehicles and for backup power in railroad signaling systems.
5. The alkaline battery was invented by Canadian engineer Lewis Urry in 1957 while working for the Eveready Battery Company. Alkaline batteries have a longer shelf life and higher energy density compared to zinc-carbon batteries, making them a popular choice for everyday devices.
6. The lithium-ion battery was developed by John B. Goodenough, Akira Yoshino, and M. Stanley Whittingham in the 1970s and 1980s. Their groundbreaking work earned them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2019.
7. The world’s largest battery storage system, as of 2021, is the Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia. It uses Tesla lithium-ion batteries to store energy generated by wind turbines and can store up to 150 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity.
8. NASA’s Mars rovers, including Opportunity and Curiosity, are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that store energy generated by solar panels during the Martian day.
9. The Guinness World Record for the most extended-running battery-powered clock is held by the “Clock of the Long Now,” which has been running continuously since 1989 using four AA batteries. The clock is on display at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
10. Recycling batteries is essential for reducing environmental impact and recovering valuable materials. In the United States, the recycling rate for lead-acid batteries is around 99%, while the recycling rate for other battery types, like lithium-ion, is lower but improving.

How many types do we have

There are numerous battery types, but we will focus on the main categories: rechargeable and non-rechargeable.

Rechargeable

Li-ion (Lithium-ion) — These batteries have become popular in recent years due to their high energy density and relatively low self-discharge rate. They are commonly found in laptops, smartphones, and electric vehicles.

Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) — A popular choice for household electronics like remote controls and digital cameras, these batteries offer good energy density but suffer from higher self-discharge rates compared to Li-ion batteries.

LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) — Known for their long cycle life and safety features, these batteries are used in applications that require high power output and a stable voltage, such as solar energy systems and electric vehicles.

Not rechargeable

Alkaline — These batteries are widely used in everyday devices like remote controls, toys, and flashlights. They have a longer shelf life and offer a higher energy density compared to zinc-carbon batteries, but cannot be recharged.

Comparison

TODO: Put a table here. Be concise

• performance (Max current, ratio to weight)
• capacity (is there any limit, ratio to weight)
• flammable
• voltage
• environmentally friendly (e.g. what happens if it’s in the garbage)

Sizes/numbers

Battery sizes and shapes can often be identified by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) designation. For example, “18650” refers to a cylindrical Li-ion battery with a diameter of 18mm and a length of 65mm.

How to read battery labels (IEC 60086 norm)

1. IEC 60086–1 is the international standard for battery designations, which provides a clear and consistent way to label batteries across different manufacturers and countries.
2. The standard defines primary (non-rechargeable) and secondary (rechargeable) batteries, as well as their dimensions and chemistries.
3. Primary batteries are labeled with letters (e.g., AA, AAA, C, D), while secondary batteries often include a series of numbers (e.g., 18650, 2032).
4. Battery chemistries can be identified by their prefix, such as “LR” for alkaline, “R” for carbon-zinc, and “CR” for lithium.
5. The article provides a detailed breakdown of how to read and understand the IEC 60086–1 battery designations, including examples and explanations of each part of the label.

To summarize, understanding the IEC 60086–1 standard can help consumers and professionals easily identify battery sizes, chemistries, and other important characteristics. This standard ensures consistency in labeling and makes it easier to choose the appropriate battery for a specific application.

Which type to choose for your application?

Consider the following factors when selecting a battery type for your project:

• Energy requirements
• Rechargeability
• Environmental impact
• Cost

Breakthroughs and what will be coming

Bloomberg presentation: https://vimeo.com/389506892

1. Energy Density:

• 20 years ago: Ni-Cd (Nickel-Cadmium) and Ni-MH (Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries were commonly used, with energy densities of 40–60 Wh/kg and 60–120 Wh/kg, respectively.
• Today: Li-ion (Lithium-ion) batteries have largely replaced Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries, with energy densities ranging from 150–200 Wh/kg, and advanced chemistries like LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) can reach 90–120 Wh/kg.

1. Cycle Life:

• 20 years ago: Ni-Cd batteries typically had a cycle life of 1,000–1,500 cycles, while Ni-MH batteries had a cycle life of 300–500 cycles.
• Today: Li-ion batteries have a cycle life of 1,000–2,000 cycles, while LiFePO4 batteries can achieve up to 2,000–5,000 cycles.

1. Self-Discharge Rate:

• 20 years ago: Ni-Cd batteries had a high self-discharge rate of around 15–20% per month, while Ni-MH batteries were slightly better at 10–15% per month.
• Today: Li-ion batteries have a low self-discharge rate of around 1.5–2% per month, and LiFePO4 batteries have a self-discharge rate of around 3–5% per month.

1. Charging Speed:

• 20 years ago: Ni-Cd and Ni-MH batteries could typically be charged in 1–4 hours, depending on the charger and battery capacity.
• Today: Li-ion batteries can be charged in 1–3 hours, and fast-charging technologies have been developed, allowing for even shorter charging times in some cases.

1. Environmental Impact:

• 20 years ago: Ni-Cd batteries contained toxic cadmium, which made recycling and disposal challenging. Ni-MH batteries were more environmentally friendly but still had some disposal concerns.
• Today: Li-ion and LiFePO4 batteries are generally more environmentally friendly, as they do not contain toxic heavy metals. Recycling programs and proper disposal methods have also improved.

These points highlight the considerable improvements in battery technology over the past 20 years. You can use this information to create a chart or table illustrating these advancements.

Summary

Battery technology has seen significant advancements in the past two decades, with improvements in energy density, charging speeds, and environmental impact. Emerging technologies like solid-state batteries and sodium-ion batteries hold promise for even more efficient and sustainable energy storage solutions in the future.