Throughout history, some of the most brilliant inventions have often been taken for granted. From the tiny 5 mm cells used in hearing aids and wristwatches to the recent announcement of an 8,500 megawatt-hour battery in Maine—capable of powering 57,000 homes—it’s impossible to imagine life without batteries. Whether it’s a small alkaline cell, a nickel-cadmium battery, lithium-ion, or even zinc-mercuric-oxide (often called mercury batteries), the purpose remains the same: to convert chemical energy into electricity. Like many great inventions, battery technology has continued to evolve, becoming more efficient, longer lasting, and indispensable to our daily lives.
Batteries have not only kept pace with the rapid advancement of other technologies but have also played a vital role in enabling them. It wasn’t long ago that everyday devices like smartphones, laptop computers, radios, music players, cordless power tools, and electric vehicles were considered the stuff of science fiction. Single-use and rechargeable batteries have not only made these items portable but have also liberated us from the constraints of power cords and cables, transforming the way we live and work.
Energy revolution
One of the earliest known energy storage devices was the ‘Baghdad Battery,’ dating back over 2,000 years. This ancient artifact is believed to have been used for electroplating, with vinegar or wine serving as the rudimentary electrolyte. Centuries later, in 1800, Italian physicist Alessandro Volta created the ‘voltaic pile,’ considered the first true battery. This invention would lay the groundwork for the modern electric battery.
Following Volta’s groundbreaking work, other inventors continued to build upon his discoveries. French chemist Georges Leclanché created the ‘Leclanché cell’ in the 1860s, and in the late 1880s, German physician Carl Gassner improved upon this with the development of the ‘dry cell’ battery, which could be used in a wider range of applications. Around the same time, Swedish engineer Waldemar Jungner invented the nickel-cadmium battery, which would play a significant role in powering early portable electronics.
In 1900, Thomas Edison, a legendary American inventor, advanced battery technology by creating the ‘Edison battery.’ Recognizing the shortcomings of lead-acid batteries—namely their weight, bulk, and susceptibility to corrosion—Edison spent eight years and nearly a million dollars conducting experiments to find an alternative. He eventually developed a more practical solution, replacing the acid used in traditional batteries with an alkaline solution and using nickel flake and hydrate combined with potassium and lithium hydroxides. Even today, over 125 years later, modern batteries are still based on Edison’s pioneering principles.
Powering everyday needs
Batteries are more than just a convenience; they make our lives easier, safer, and more efficient. Consider the many situations in which we rely on battery-powered devices. When the power goes out, we reach for a flashlight and tune into portable radios for news updates. In the event of a fire, battery-powered smoke detectors alert us to potential danger. In the realm of healthcare, life-saving devices like pacemakers and Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) rely on batteries that last five to seven years, keeping patients alive every day. In short, batteries are essential to modern existence.
As Henry R. Schlesinger writes in his insightful book, The Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution, “The fact is, batteries not only power our current technologically advanced and portable age, but are also largely responsible for virtually all of the early basic scientific research that made today’s gadgets and gizmos possible. Batteries quite literally powered much of the basic science that led to the consumer technology they power today. Without batteries, not only would our cell phones and other gadgets not work; in all likelihood, the technology on which they are based would not exist.”
Major economic player
The global battery industry is not just large—it is enormous. According to Statista, the battery market is projected to grow more than fourfold between 2021 and 2030, from nearly $112 billion to $424 billion. The dominant segment of this market will remain lithium-ion batteries, which have become the standard in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy storage.
For most consumers, the term ‘battery’ brings to mind common household items like AA or 9-volt alkaline cells for TV remote controls, smoke detectors, and other small devices. Duracell is the top-selling battery brand in the United States, followed by competitors like Energizer, Rayovac, and emerging private label products like Amazon Basics. While these standard batteries still dominate the market, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to a surge in demand for rechargeable EV batteries, which now constitutes one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the industry.
China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) currently leads the EV battery market, holding a 38.8 percent market share. Other key players in the sector include BYD (15.8 percent) and LG Energy Solutions (12.9 percent), while global brands like Samsung SDI (4.5 percent) and Panasonic (4.4 percent) also contribute significantly. As electric vehicles become increasingly popular, home backup batteries—used to store off-peak or renewable energy—are helping many consumers lower their carbon footprints, further driving demand for advanced battery technologies.
The next generation
Battery technology continues to innovate and evolve. While traditional alkaline, nickel-cadmium, and lithium-ion batteries still play critical roles in powering everything from toys to smartphones, new battery technologies are emerging that promise even greater performance, efficiency, and sustainability. Among these, zinc-sulfur (Zn-S) batteries are gaining attention as a potentially game-changing technology for energy storage.
Zn-S batteries are already being hailed as a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. These batteries use zinc and sulfur—materials that are abundant, non-toxic, and relatively inexpensive—making them far less environmentally harmful than traditional lithium-ion batteries. In addition to their sustainability advantages, Zn-S batteries also exhibit impressive durability, high safety standards, and greater anodic capacity. Unlike other battery technologies like lithium-sulfur, Zn-S batteries are less affected by air conditions, offering more stable performance over time.
“The ample supply and accessibility of these elements [zinc and sulfur] ensure a stable and cost-effective foundation for large-scale battery production,” state the authors of The Zinc-Sulfur Battery: The Next Frontier in Energy Storage Technology. This cost-effectiveness, combined with Zn-S batteries’ strong performance and safety features, positions them as a promising option for large-scale energy storage applications in the future.
In addition to Zn-S, research into other types of next-generation batteries, such as solid-state batteries and even biological batteries, is rapidly advancing. These technologies could eventually lead to batteries that are lighter, safer, longer lasting, and more sustainable. For instance, solid-state batteries are expected to have higher energy densities, which would allow devices to run longer on a single charge, and they are considered safer than traditional lithium-ion batteries, as they are less likely to catch fire.
Batteries, yesterday and tomorrow
As we look to the future, the role of batteries will only continue to expand. From their humble beginnings as simple devices used for energy storage to the sophisticated power sources we depend on today, batteries have revolutionized the way we live and interact with technology. Today, they power everything from portable electronics and electric vehicles to life-saving medical devices and renewable energy storage systems.
Even as new battery technologies emerge, one thing remains clear: batteries will continue to be one of the greatest inventions of all time. Their ability to store energy and convert it into electricity has transformed our world, enabling scientific progress, driving technological innovation, and powering everyday life. As the industry continues to evolve, batteries will remain at the heart of many of the most exciting developments in energy, sustainability, and technology.
