Definition

battery

A battery is an electrochemical cell (or enclosed and protected material) that can be charged electrically to provide a static potential for power or released electrical charge when needed.

A battery generally consists of an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte.

Common types of commercial batteries and some of their characteristics and advantages are summarized in the following table. Battery types not shown include the Zinc-Air, Flooded Lead Acid, and Alkaline batteries.

 

Battery Type Characteristics Typical Uses Advantages
Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery Can hold a charge for up to 3 years Backup emergency power source Inexpensive
Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery Fast, even energy discharge Appliances, audio and video equipment, toys; most popular batter Relatively inexpensive; widely available
Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery Typical power capacity i1.2 V - 1200 to 1500 mAh; extended life 2300 mAh; 2.5 to 4 hours battery life Portable computers; cellular phones; same as for Ni-Cd batteries No memory effect; unused capacity remains usable
Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery Stable and safe; highest energy capacity Portable computers; cellular phones; same as for Ni-Cd batteries Twice the charge capacity of Ni-Cd; slow self-discharge

This was last updated in May 2007
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

Email Alerts

Register now to receive SearchMobileComputing.com-related news, tips and more, delivered to your inbox.
By submitting you agree to receive email from TechTarget and its partners. If you reside outside of the United States, you consent to having your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States. Privacy

More News and Tutorials

  • DiVitas adds mobile unified communications to its FMC client

    Fixed-mobile convergence vendor DiVitas has added rich mobile unified communications features to its client and boosted its scalability by switching to a software-based approach.

  • Real-time location systems: Can you find me now?

    Real-time location systems (RTLS) have been around for years. Retailers use these systems to track inventory, and trucking companies use them for fleet tracking. Although the two applications sound similar, the underlying RTLS technology for both applications is quite different. This article provides an introduction to real-time location technology and a description of several common applications. Real-time location systems determine the position and location of a target. Position identifies a spot on the Earth using a geographic coordinate system (e.g., 32° 49' 49.7964' – 116° 49' 9.9228"). Location refers to a certain place in the real world (e.g., Boston's North End).

  • Managing mobile workers

    Managers of mobile workers have the responsibility in ensuring that their staff are performing their tasks efficiently, effectively and productively regardless of their location or even their working hours. Some managers embrace mobility while others struggle to let go of the 9 to 5, at your desk mentality. This Mobile Insight series by Craig Mathias covers best practices for mobile user management that you can put to work immediately.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com
Back to top