The Evolution of Battery Technology
From Volta's first discovery to modern energy solutions, including advancements in lithium battery on plane technology
Understanding Batteries
A battery is a type of power source. Power sources are generally divided into physical power sources and chemical power sources. Physical power sources include solar power generation devices, thermoelectric power generation devices, thermal and hydroelectric generators, etc. Chemical power sources refer to power generation devices that can directly convert chemical energy into electrical energy, known as chemical batteries, or simply batteries.
A typical battery consists of a positive electrode, negative electrode, electrolyte, tabs, and casing. The active materials contained in the positive and negative electrodes are the source of battery energy. They can absorb or release electrons through redox reactions, driving external work through electromotive force. This fundamental principle applies to all battery types, including the modern lithium battery on plane technology that has revolutionized air travel.
Classification of Batteries
Batteries can be divided into primary batteries (also known as non-rechargeable batteries, primary cells) and secondary batteries (rechargeable batteries).
- Discharge process: Due to the action of spontaneous electromotive force, the negative electrode material loses electrons and is oxidized, while the positive electrode material gains electrons and is reduced, eventually reaching a fully discharged state.
- Charging process: Driven by an external electromotive force, the negative electrode material loses electrons and is oxidized, while the positive electrode material gains electrons and is reduced, eventually reaching a fully charged state.
Batteries are a product of human technological development. Primary batteries appeared earlier in history. In 1800, Volta invented the world's first battery, using zinc and copper to form electrode pairs inserted into sulfuric acid solution to achieve discharge. This groundbreaking invention laid the foundation for all subsequent battery technologies, including the advanced lithium battery on plane systems used today.
Battery Structure
The basic components that make up all batteries, from simple primary cells to complex rechargeable systems powering everything from smartphones to the lithium battery on plane technology.
Working Principle
How chemical reactions convert stored energy into electricity during discharge and how external energy reverses this process during charging, a principle crucial for lithium battery on plane technology.
Battery Development Timeline
A chronological journey through the key innovations and breakthroughs that shaped battery technology, leading to modern advancements like the lithium battery on plane systems.
1800
Volta invented the world's first battery, using zinc and copper electrode pairs in sulfuric acid solution to achieve discharge. This revolutionary creation marked the birth of electrochemical energy storage.
The first step toward modern energy solutions, including the future lithium battery on plane technology.
1802
Cruikshank designed the first battery suitable for mass production. This innovation made battery technology more accessible and practical for early scientific research and applications, setting the stage for future developments including the lithium battery on plane systems.
1859
Planté invented the rechargeable lead-acid battery, using metallic lead and lead oxide as electrode materials and sulfuric acid as electrolyte. Through the formation and decomposition of lead sulfate as an intermediate product, the battery achieved charging and discharging capabilities.
Lead-acid batteries remain the most widely used secondary battery system today, with their basic structure still maintaining the form proposed by Planté. This durability demonstrates the importance of foundational research, much like the ongoing work with lithium battery on plane technology.
1868-1899
1868: Leclanché developed the Leclanché cell using ferric chloride electrolyte.
1881: Thiebaut obtained a dry cell battery patent.
1888: Gassner developed the first dry cell battery.
1890: Edison invented the rechargeable iron battery.
1896: Mass production of dry batteries began in the United States.
1899: Jungner invented the nickel-cadmium battery, introducing a new chemistry that would influence future developments, including concepts later used in lithium battery on plane technology.
1900-1950
1910: Commercial production of rechargeable iron-nickel batteries began.
1911: Battery production began in China, manufacturing dry batteries and lead-acid batteries.
1914: Edison invented the alkaline battery.
1934: Schlecht and Akermann invented sintered plates for nickel-cadmium batteries.
1947: Neumann developed sealed cadmium batteries.
1949: Urry (Energizer) developed small alkaline batteries, improving portability and energy density—key factors that would later be critical for applications like lithium battery on plane technology.
1950-1980
1954: Pearson, Fuller, and Chapin developed the solar cell, creating a complementary technology to batteries.
1956: Energizer produced the first 9V battery.
1956: China's first cadmium battery factory (Fengyun Equipment Factory, also known as Factory 755) was established.
Around 1960: Carbide commercially produced alkaline batteries; China began researching alkaline batteries.
Around 1970: Maintenance-free lead-acid batteries appeared.
Around 1970: Primary lithium batteries became practical, with products like lithium-manganese dioxide batteries developed. This period laid groundwork for future innovations in energy storage, including concepts that would eventually lead to the lithium battery on plane technology we know today.
1980-2000
1976: Scientists at Philips invented the nickel hydrogen battery.
Around 1980: Stable alloys for hydrogen batteries were developed.
1983: Nankai University began researching nickel-hydrogen batteries.
1987: China improved cadmium battery technology, adopting nickel foam, increasing battery capacity by 40%.
1987: Commercial production of primary lithium batteries began in China.
1989: China included nickel-hydrogen battery research in national plans.
Around 1990: Commercial production of nickel-hydrogen batteries began.
1991: Sony commercialized rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, a pivotal moment that would eventually enable technologies like the lithium battery on plane systems.
1992: Kordesch et al. obtained a patent for alkaline rechargeable batteries.
1992: Battery Technologies Inc. produced alkaline rechargeable batteries.
1995: Commercial production of nickel-oxygen batteries in China began to take shape.
1997: Goodenough's research group reported lithium iron phosphate materials for ion batteries.
1999: Commercial production of rechargeable lithium polymer batteries began, offering new form factors and safety features important for applications like the lithium battery on plane technology.
2000-Present
2000: Commercial production of lithium-ion batteries began in China.
2003: Lithium cobalt oxide batteries began large-scale application in mobile phones and other digital products; lithium iron phosphate carbon coating technology emerged.
2005: Domestic manufacturers began producing lithium iron phosphate power batteries.
2007: Lithium iron phosphate batteries began to be applied; multiple battery companies started producing lithium iron phosphate power batteries.
2008: Lithium iron phosphate materials entered mass production.
2009: The new energy industry developed rapidly; the national 863 Plan supported the establishment of 10,000-ton scale lithium iron phosphate material production lines.
2010: Lithium-ion batteries became the main energy source for electric vehicles, with the industry scale expanding rapidly. This same technology began showing promise for specialized applications, including the lithium battery on plane systems that would transform aviation.
2012: Lithium iron phosphate materials were included in the national "Twelfth Five-Year" development plan for new materials; the state issued the "Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2012-2020)".
Today, lithium-ion batteries represent the highest level of human battery research and technology, with continuous improvements in energy density, safety, and charging speed. Innovations in this field continue to expand applications, from consumer electronics to electric vehicles and the specialized lithium battery on plane technology that's revolutionizing air travel efficiency.
Battery Technology Evolution
From early innovations to modern breakthroughs, the development of battery technology has accelerated dramatically in recent decades.
Looking at the history of battery development, after entering the 20th century, due to the mature technology and wide application of internal combustion engines, the importance of battery systems diminished, and theory and technology were once in a stagnant period. However, after World War II, battery technology entered a period of rapid development again.
First, to meet the needs of high-power, multi-purpose applications, alkaline zinc-manganese batteries were developed. In 1951, nickel-cadmium batteries were sealed. In 1958, Harris proposed using organic electrolytes as electrolytes for primary lithium batteries. In the early 1970s, military and civilian battery developments were realized.
Subsequently, due to environmental concerns, research focus shifted to secondary batteries. After batteries were commercialized in the early 20th century, they developed rapidly in the 1980s. However, as people's environmental awareness increased, the use of lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals became increasingly restricted, creating a need for new rechargeable batteries to replace traditional lead-acid batteries and nickel-cadmium batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries were invented around 1990 and commercialized in 1991. Polymer lithium-ion batteries (using gel polymer electrolytes as membranes and electrolytes) were invented in 1995, with large-scale commercialization beginning in 1999. Due to their environmental friendliness, lack of heavy metal pollution, and high specific energy, ion batteries have become a strong new energy competitive technology, enabling innovations like the lithium battery on plane systems that are changing aviation.
Modern Battery Applications
Consumer Electronics
Powering smartphones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and portable devices. Miniaturization and increased energy density have been key drivers, with technology advancements paralleling those in lithium battery on plane research.
Transportation
Electric vehicles, hybrid cars, electric bikes, and scooters rely on advanced battery systems. Similar energy density requirements apply here as in the specialized lithium battery on plane technology.
Aerospace
From small drones to commercial aircraft, the lithium battery on plane technology has enabled longer flight times, reduced emissions, and improved efficiency in aviation applications.
Residential Energy
Home energy storage systems for solar power integration, backup power, and load management. These systems benefit from the same advancements that improved lithium battery on plane technology.
Industrial Uses
Forklifts, robotics, emergency power systems, and grid storage solutions depend on reliable, high-capacity batteries, with technology sharing similarities to lithium battery on plane systems.
Medical Devices
Pacemakers, hearing aids, portable medical equipment rely on long-lasting, reliable batteries. The safety innovations here have informed developments in lithium battery on plane technology.
China's Battery Industry
A history of development and innovation in one of the world's leading battery-producing nations.
Historical Development
China's first battery factory was established in Shanghai in 1911. In 1921, the first professional lead-acid battery factory—Shanghai Battery Factory—was established in Shanghai.
In 1941, the Telecommunication Materials Factory under the Third Bureau of the Central Military Commission in Yan'an began producing zinc-manganese dry batteries and repairing lead-acid batteries.
In 1957, the Chemical Power Research Laboratory of the Electrical Materials Bureau of the Ministry of Machinery and Electronics was established, becoming China's first professional research institute in 1958—the former Ministry of Machinery Industry's Chemical Power Research Institute (now Tianjin Power Research Institute of the Ministry of Electronics Industry).
In 1960, China's first cadmium battery factory, "Fengyun Equipment Factory," was officially put into operation in Xinxiang, Henan Province.
Modern Developments
In the early 1990s, China began key national research projects, which rapidly promoted the industrialization of nickel batteries. Later, the state launched multiple national 863 science and technology projects on lithium-ion batteries, aiming to promote the localization and large-scale development of lithium-ion batteries and their materials.
Today, China is a global leader in battery production and innovation, manufacturing a significant portion of the world's lithium-ion batteries for various applications, including the specialized lithium battery on plane technology that's gaining traction in aviation.
Environmental Challenges
For China's current battery industry, the main problems are severe environmental pollution and resource waste. Due to the low level of automation and mechanization in China's battery industry, many enterprises still use manual operations, leading to serious pollution during production and great harm to workers' health.
The dry battery industry was once jokingly called a "polluting enterprise" and "black industry." These pollutants mainly include manganese oxide powder, mercury oxide, asphalt fumes, smoke, paraffin fumes, etc. Among them, mercury is the most concerning and highly toxic heavy metal, with even extremely small amounts being harmful to the human body. Developed countries have prohibited the production and import of mercury-containing batteries since 1994.
Currently, many manufacturers in China still produce mercury-containing batteries. The main pollutants in the lead-acid battery industry include lead and lead oxide dust, acid mist, and waste acid, among which lead is also a highly toxic heavy metal. Chronic lead poisoning mainly manifests as nervous system damage, renal dysfunction, and anemia.
Resource Recycling
The disposal of waste batteries wastes significant resources and materials. For example, China has basically not recycled zinc-silver batteries and zinc-mercury batteries in dry batteries. The recycling effect of low-value zinc-manganese dry batteries is even worse.
Currently, some enterprises are engaged in lithium-ion battery recycling, but no effective recycling system has been established, resulting in insufficient operation and poor efficiency. This is an area of critical importance as technologies like the lithium battery on plane systems become more widespread.
Future Directions
To reduce pollution, protect the environment, maintain ecological balance, and conserve the Earth's limited resources, we should expand resource types as much as possible, select raw materials with abundant reserves, and utilize environmentally friendly resources. From these perspectives, lithium-ion batteries should be the battery type that China vigorously develops, with ongoing research improving their safety and efficiency for all applications including the lithium battery on plane technology.
The Future of Battery Technology
As energy storage needs continue to grow across industries, battery technology will remain a critical area of innovation. From consumer electronics to transportation and specialized applications like the lithium battery on plane systems, advancements in efficiency, safety, and sustainability will drive the next generation of energy solutions.
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