Who Invented the Dry Cell Battery?
The dry cell battery, in its various forms, has become ubiquitous in modern society. It has a long and interesting scientific history, and it is arguably as important an invention as the car or the computer. Today, dry cell batteries power everything from iPods to hybrid cars.
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Definition
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A dry cell battery is any battery that produces a low-voltage electrical charge through the chemical interaction of non-liquid electrodes and electrolytes, often in solid or low-moisture paste form.
First (Almost) Dry Cell
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Alassandro Volta creates the "wet dry cell" battery by stacking alternating layers of zinc, copper and brine-soaked leather.
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First True Dry Cell
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In 1887, two scientists--Danish-born Wilhelm Hellesen and German-born Carl Gassner--independently develop the first true dry cell batteries. Both use the design of a wet cell battery, the Leclanché cell, as a model, but replace that cell's liquid electrodes with paste mixtures to prevent leaking.
Commercial Success
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It was Gassner's design that sparked commercial success. By the turn of the century, dry cell batteries were being sold in many varieties for use in any number of different products, including the first cars.
Fun Fact
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The "D" cell battery was first introduced in 1898 by the company that would one day become Eveready, and later Energizer.
The Alkaline Battery
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In 1959, dry cell batteries were improved with the introduction of the alkaline battery, which drew energy from the interaction of zinc and manganese oxide. Alkaline batteries offered improved energy storage and a longer shelf life.
NiMH Batteries
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In 1989, a new dry cell battery, the nickel-metal hydride cell, or NiMH, was introduced. NiMH batteries have become the standard for rechargeable electronics batteries, and are also the batteries that power hybrid cars.
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