battery: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 20, 2026

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Can larger batteries safely power residential buildings? A project in New York aims to show how • Oct. 20, 2026, 7:00 AM ET (AP)

Photos and Videos

Cross-section diagram of an alkaline-manganese dioxide battery showing labeled internal components, including the steel-plated covers, cathode, anode gel, current collector, separator, steel can, and brass rivet.

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Engraving illustrating Alessandro Volta's voltaic pile, with stacked metal discs connected by wires to cups of liquid.

Georges Leclanché's cell

Basic electric circuit, with switch, battery, and lamp.

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Turning plastic bags into battery components

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Topics

primary cell storage battery How do electric cars work?cathode anode energy conversion nuclear reactor turbine electric motor fusion reactor electric generator fuel cell pump magnetohydrodynamic power generator machine thermoelectric power generator

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Key People

Alessandro Volta

Alessandro Volta

Italian physicist

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John B. Goodenough

American physicist

lithium-ion batteries

Yoshino Akira

Japanese chemist

Shai Agassi, 2008.

Shai Agassi

Israeli entrepreneur

lithium-ion batteries

M. Stanley Whittingham

British American chemist

battery. Illustration of battery connected to lightbulb. Power a light bulb with a battery. Battery, Power Supply, Science, Circuit, Currents

Electricity: Short Circuits & Direct Currents

Electric power lines against sunset (grid, power, wires, electrical, electricity)

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