Why do the batteries in grandma’s remote leak over time, but the batteries in old laptops or our phones not leak?
In: Technology
Remote control batteries are a different chemistry, they are alkaline zinc/manganese dioxide/potassium hydroxide cells. These batteries have some advantages, they are very low cost, and they can have a 10 year shelf life if not discharged. They have a disadvantage, they leak corrosive chemicals when totally discharged. The idea is that the low cost means you will switch them when they start to not work well, avoiding the corrosion. This doesn’t always work.
Laptops and cell phones use lithium ion batteries. They have an advantage, they don’t leak, but a disadvantage, they are much more expensive (and if abused they can start a fire).
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