Nickel-iron battery Facts for Kids

The nickel–iron battery (NiFe battery) is a special type of battery made from iron, nickel, and a chemical called hydroxide. These batteries are super strong and don't break easily. They can last for more than 20 years, which is a very long time for a battery! However, they do take a while to charge up. You might find them used in places like trains.

Nickel-iron batteries are known for being very tough and lasting a long time. You can charge them many, many times without them wearing out. Even though many people connect them with the famous inventor Thomas Edison, he didn't actually invent this kind of battery. But his company did make them for a long time, all the way until the early 1970s! Today, companies in China make many of these batteries. They are often used when a battery needs to work reliably for many years, like in big solar power systems that are not connected to the main electricity grid.

What are Nickel-Iron Batteries?
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What are Nickel-Iron Batteries?

Nickel-iron batteries are a type of rechargeable battery. This means you can use them, then charge them up again, and use them over and over. They are built to be very tough and last for a very long time, sometimes even more than 50 years! This makes them different from many other batteries you might know, like the ones in your phone or remote control.

How They Work

Inside a nickel-iron battery, there are plates made of nickel and iron. When the battery is giving out power, a chemical reaction happens between these materials and a liquid called an electrolyte. This liquid is usually a mix of potassium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. When you charge the battery, the chemical reaction reverses, storing energy again.

History and Thomas Edison

The nickel-iron battery was invented in 1899 by a Swedish inventor named Waldemar Jungner. However, Thomas Edison also worked on his own version of this battery around the same time. Edison wanted to create a strong, long-lasting battery for electric cars and other uses. His company, the Edison Storage Battery Company, made these batteries for many decades. They were popular because they were so tough and reliable, even if they were a bit heavy and slow to charge.

Where Are They Used Today?

Because nickel-iron batteries last so long and are very durable, they are still used in special situations today.

Off-grid power systems: These are places that don't have access to the main electricity grid, like remote homes or cabins. Nickel-iron batteries can store energy from solar panels or wind turbines to provide power day and night.
Backup power: They can be used as backup power for important systems, like in hospitals or telecommunications, because they are so reliable.
Industrial uses: Their strength makes them good for heavy-duty jobs in factories or for powering forklifts.