Term of the Moment
agile software development
Definition: zinc air
A battery technology that provides more charge per pound than nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride without suffering from the memory effect. Zinc air batteries also last longer than lithium ion. With air causing the chemical reaction, zinc air uses a carbon membrane that absorbs the oxygen and a zinc plate and potassium hydroxide electrolyte. The technology dates back to the 1920s when large zinc air batteries were used for remote railroad switches and harbor lights. See batteries and digital hearing aid.
Zinc Air for Hearing Aids
A Zinc Air Pioneer
Zinc air batteries are commonly used for hearing aids because they can last up to a week after the yellow plastic covers are removed, exposing them to air. (Image courtesy of Energizer Holdings, Inc.)
AER Energy was a zinc air pioneer. When a device needed power, AER's patented Diffusion Air Manager used a tiny fan to force air in. Unfortunately, after more than a decade of development, the company closed its doors in the early 2000s. (Image courtesy of AER Energy Resources, Inc.)