Strange, but the fact that some inventions of mankind were obtained in very unusual ways. Once, taking a frog and hanging it on a string, a scientist named Luigi Galvani noticed that if you bring two metal plates (from different metals) to the frog and touch them, then the frog's foot starts to twitch! Incredible experience.
And no less fantastic invention was obtained, after all. Accumulators are our new topic! I will briefly describe the history of development and the modern application of such a necessary device!
A battery is a device for storing energy. The goal is its further use. The word "altilium" is Latin and translated as "store". There are: electro, thermal, inertial, hydraulic, etc. Our conversation will go about the first form. A device that accumulates electrical energy.
The battery circuit is simple. Electrodes with different polarity are immersed in the electrolyte. Anode (positive) and cathode (negative). When connected to a power source, the battery accumulates it in chemical form and gives it as needed, converting it into electricity. When it is discharged, it is charged again.
How it all began
By the way, the inquisitive mind of the scientist Galvani was not right. He mistakenly decided that the frog itself produces energy, and even managed to call it just "animal electricity." For the benefit of mankind was another physicist with the name Volta, who established the fallacy of experience. Alessandro Volta proved that the current arises from a chemical reaction between plates of different metals.
In 1800, the physicist Volta conducted experiments with different metals. As a positive electrode used tin, zinc, lead or iron. Negative were copper, gold and silver. As a result, the combination of zinc-copper, placed in brine, showed the world the first chemical source of current. Strange, but the effect of obtaining energy in this way called "galvanism." The first battery became a "galvanic cell".
The first serial battery was simply "masterpiece". Imagine a wooden box, inside of which there are copper and zinc plates. All this is flooded with sea water acting as an electrolyte. Well, the final touch - on top of the entire structure is tightly packed in cement. Unfortunately, there was no recharging of such devices.
The first real battery was received only in 1859. It is a model whose principles are still relevant today. Lead plates, fabric and wood. In 1899, the first nickel-cadmium battery was manufactured, and in 1901 - nickel-iron battery.
Modern realities
About today's battery world, I'll talk on the example of power sources for mobile devices - phones, smartphones, laptops, cameras and uninterruptible power supplies. Although, if we take the latest models, technology and materials are all the same. Briefly about where used, the pros and cons.
Modern electrochemical systems are divided into:
Lead-acid, hermetically sealed (SLA)
Such batteries are usually used where the weight and dimensions do not matter (or almost do not). These are security systems, wheelchairs, UPS. They are characterized by high power and capacity. Used in the first models of mobile phones.
Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd)
These elements are used in medical equipment, hand power tools, radio stations, in old models of cellular, radiotelephones, video cameras.
Advantages - fast charge and ability to give off a big current. Does not heat up during operation. Long service life with proper use. Low price.
Cons - the "memory effect" and high self-discharge. A decent weight. The content of cadmium requires special disposal. But when it scared us.
Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH)
These systems are designed to replace nickel-cadmium elements. The density of energy they have more, thus the batteries are much easier. There is no "memory effect" (almost), but the battery is warming up. Environmentally safe. If it's short and honest, there are more minuses than pluses. But marketers are trying to tell the opposite.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion)
All modern smart phones, laptops and any other gadgets, use this technology today. Such types of batteries forced out all the others for a number of compelling reasons.
Pros - small weight and size, high charge density, lack of "memory". Low self-discharge and do not need to be serviced. Built-in protection system and control circuit.
Disadvantages - a high price, "dislike" for complete discharge, a short period of operation (maximum 2 years).
Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
One of the latest developments in the field of energy conservation. The polymer is used instead of the electrolyte. Has all the advantages of a lithium-ion battery. The big plus is the fact that the battery can be made of any thickness and shape. Agree, this is cool! Minus - can be a good idea when misused.
I want to note that it was in this order of changing electrochemical systems that the technology developed. The batteries continue to improve, and I think the breakthrough is just around the corner. Also I give some necessary advice in using your devices with batteries:
