History #

The alkaline battery was invented in the late 1950s by the American engineer Lewis Urry, who worked for the Eveready Battery Company. Urry was looking for a way to improve the performance of the zinc-carbon battery, which had been the standard for many years. He discovered that adding an alkaline electrolyte to the zinc-carbon battery increased its voltage and capacity. The alkaline battery was introduced in 1959 and quickly became the most popular battery in the world.

Typical Use #

Alkaline batteries are the most common type of battery used in everyday items such as flashlights, toys, remote controls, and clocks. They are also used in a variety of industrial applications such as medical equipment, power tools, and security systems. Alkaline batteries are also used in some electric vehicles, such as golf carts and scooters.

Design #

Alkaline batteries are composed of three main components: an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte. The anode is typically made of zinc, while the cathode is typically made of manganese dioxide. The electrolyte is an alkaline solution, usually potassium hydroxide. The anode and cathode are separated by a porous separator, which allows ions to pass between them. When the battery is in use, the anode and cathode react with the electrolyte, producing an electrical current.

The design of alkaline batteries has changed over the years, but the basic principles remain the same. The most common type of alkaline battery is the AA size, which is composed of a zinc anode, a manganese dioxide cathode, and a potassium hydroxide electrolyte. The AA battery is cylindrical in shape and is typically 1.5 inches in diameter and 2.5 inches in length.

Alkaline batteries are available in a variety of sizes, from AAA to D. The larger the battery, the more energy it can store. The voltage of an alkaline battery is typically 1.5 volts, but can range from 1.2 to 1.7 volts. The capacity of an alkaline battery is typically measured in milliamp-hours (mAh), and can range from 500 mAh to 3000 mAh.

Alkaline batteries are typically sold in single-use or rechargeable versions. Single-use alkaline batteries are designed to be used once and then discarded, while rechargeable alkaline batteries can be recharged and used multiple times. Rechargeable alkaline batteries typically have a higher capacity than single-use alkaline batteries.