In a very technologically advanced world, we are becoming more and more reliant on electronic devices. This also includes electric vehicles and machinery.
What has made a lot of the advances in technology possible and proceed at a fast pace is batteries. Batteries have provided us with the means to operate tools and equipment that would have otherwise not been possible. Thanks to the invention of the battery, we can now use batteries to create other innovative and creative inventions.
The Power of Batteries
You can pretty much find batteries in almost all things. Watches, laptops, phones, and toys are just a few among countless to mention. Batteries provide energy to these devices and so that they can become operational. Because of what batteries can offer, there is a wide variety of types and kinds of batteries that are available. All of these have diverse usefulness depending on the device they are made for.
One of these very innovative battery creations is the rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery is a lot different from a primary battery or more commonly known as a disposable battery. Just as the name suggests, rechargeable batteries are batteries that can be recharged once they become empty or all used up. These batteries contain a chemical or material that allows them to be able to recharge after being discharged. This is why rechargeable batteries are called lithium-ion batteries with the word “ion” as the addition to regular lithium batteries.
Are rechargeable batteries better than regular batteries?
There are a lot of obvious convenient benefits that come with rechargeable batteries. The main factor is the fact that you can constantly charge these batteries whenever they run out of energy. This means that you won’t have to constantly buy new batteries to replace the old ones. Of course, over time, even rechargeable batteries lose their power capability, so eventually, they will need to be replaced.
Another notable benefit is that rechargeable batteries generate fewer battery waste because they are not disposable. So, they’re environmentally friendly and certainly please a lot of environmentalists. Keep in mind, however, that to manufacture rechargeable batteries, they still require machines that produce greenhouse gases. So, they are not completely perfect yet.
Like with most things in life, rechargeable batteries do have their share of downsides. One is that they can be more dangerous than primary batteries because they are more likely to explode if charged incorrectly or when damaged due to their flammable electrolyte contents. Furthermore, rechargeable batteries hold less energy or power than primary batteries, so they, unfortunately, don’t last as long. In a way, this is why they are rechargeable, which compensates for their lack of capacity.
Which type of battery is better is highly dependent on what you plan to use the battery for or the kind of device you have. So, it comes down to the individual to really determine which type of battery is best. Of course, there are some devices that automatically have rechargeable batteries, so there isn’t much choice in this area. In regard to this aspect, there are continued research and studies that are being taken to increase the power and ability of rechargeable batteries to better match the high-capacity of primary batteries.
The progress of Korean researchers
One great example is a research that has been undergone by a couple of Korean doctors and their teams in developing a better version of lithium-ion batteries. Their research is about figuring out a way to reduce the lithium loss for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries on electric cars. By doing so, electric cars can have longer mileage and have better power discharge.
Although their research is about electric cars, this does pose an idea or a concept that other battery manufacturers can consider if the research continues to be successful. As of now, the progress is going very well and we have already seen positive results. As studies continue to happen, we might one day see rechargeable batteries becoming the new commonly used battery for more than just electric cars.
The research by these Korean doctors and their team serves as an example of the dedication that is going towards improving the lithium-ion battery. By producing results, the progress also serves as evidence that rechargeable batteries, whether it be for cars or for devices, can improve and hopefully even surpass the need for unsustainable fuel.
Batteries are becoming revolutionize
There is much more research happening with not just rechargeable batteries, but batteries in general. With their amazing benefits, there is a belief that we can unlock more of their potential. Countless things in life use batteries and require them to function properly. So, it makes sense that batteries will only improve in their ability and usage.
The use of batteries is even tackling certain global issues such as global warming. With the greenhouse gas emissions rising, electric vehicles and machinery will require better batteries to perform better over gasoline or diesel vehicles. Although we may never remove the complete use of gasoline and diesel, we can at least lower the rate significantly.
Over time, more and more batteries are being developed to increase their capacity, lengthen their lifespan, heighten their density (while at the same time reducing their overall weight), and promote the recharge rate for rechargeable batteries. These and other factors are constantly being investigated to further the development of batteries for everyday use and easier daily living.
Conclusion
Rechargeable batteries have been around for decades and since their invention, they have proven themselves to be very useful and convenient. If you have a good source of electricity, then you will definitely benefit from rechargeable batteries. But, when it comes to off-grid locations, then it would be best to use primary batteries as they can last for a long time before needing to be disposed of. To make the most of both worlds, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have both types of batteries. After all, you never know what the future will hold.