General knowledge on batteries

5. Primary Batteries Advantages Disadvantages Alkaline Cell High energy density, long shelf life, good leak resistance, performs well under heavy or light use. Costlier than zinc-carbon cell but more efficient Aluminum/Air Cell Can operate exposed to sea water (neutral salt solution), easily replaceable electrolytes/electrodes Anode quickly degrades, short shelf life, short operational life Leclanché Cell (Zinc Carbon or Dry Cell) Cheap and common (oldest available battery type) Poor performance under heavy or continuous use. Lithium Cell Very high energy density, long shelf life, long operational life Poor performance under heavy use, vulnerable to leaks or explosions Mercury Oxide Cell Higher energy density than (Zn/MnO 2 ) alkaline cell High cost and being phased out due to toxicity concerns Zinc/Air Cell Environmentally benign, cheap, very high energy density, and virtually unlimited shelf life Short operational life, low power density

6. Secondary (rechargeable) Batteries Advantages Disadvantages Iron Nickel Cell Long life under a variety of conditions, excellent back-up battery Low rate-performance, slow recharge rate Lead/Acid Cell Low cost, long life cycle, operates well under a variety of conditions. Common car batteries Minor risk of leakage Lithium Ion Cell Relatively cheap, high energy density, long shelf life, long operational life, long cycle life Minor risk of leakage Nickel/Cadmium Cell Good performance under heavy discharge and/or low temperature High cost, can temporary loose cell capacity if not fully discharged before recharging (memory effect) Nickel/Metal Hydride (NiMH) Cell High capacity and power density High cost, some memory effect Nickel/Zinc Cell Low cost, low toxicity, good for high discharge rates Zinc on the electrolyte tends to redeposit unevenly on anode, severely reducing efficiency Sodium/Sulfur Cell Inexpensive materials, long cycle life, high energy and power High operational temperature lower efficiency, some danger of explosion upon degradation