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Introduction to Rechargeable Batteries

Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable batteries, once discharged, can be returned to their fully charged state and repeatedly discharged for up to hundreds of cycles. The engineering of a rechargeable system is complex. The technical incubation period is often decades, not years. The key problem lies in the repeatability and safety issues related to the highly energetic materials.

Secondary cells can be charged and discharged many times, making it economic to use a more costly construction. Most rechargeable batteries use an aqueous electrolyte but, nevertheless, the electrolyte solutions such as concentrated potassium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, are still liquid at -40oC.

A comparison of the energy and power densities of conventional rechargeable cells and some advanced technologies demonstrate the progress made in recent years to achieve power and energy densities to satisfy an increasing demand of portable power sources. The advantages and disadvantages of some of these technologies is shown in the following Table.

Cell Type

Advantages

Disadvantages

Pb/PbO2

well known

low energy density

excellent power

D-cell smallest size

cheap

Ni/Cd

well known

energy density

excellent power use

memory effect

in battery packs

Cd is toxic

Zn/MnO2

well known,

corrosion of Zn

very cheap

Zn/AgO

high energy density

cost

good shelf life

low cycle life

Li/V6O13

insoluble in organic

low power

solvents

sloping voltage

Li/MnO2

higher voltage

costly

low power

Li/VOx

good shelf life,

costly

low toxicity

poor power

safety, flexibility

poor at <25oC

Ni/Zn

non-toxic

low cycle life

high energy density

cost

Ni/MH

high cycle life

poor shelf life

excellent power

expensive

capability, reliable


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