Batteries information

No one really knows whether or not electro-magnetic fields (EMF) have negative effects on the health of adults. One curious website tested quite a few devices and was surprised at some of the EMF that tested above the "definitely safe" range. "EMF Readings From Various Devices We Use Every Day" explains the results of these tests.

Steve's Digicams, a camera enthusiast review site, recommends Maha chargers in a longer discussion of other chargers.

Quite a few USB chargers are available for rechargeable AA batteries - these are especially convenient for frequent travelers who take laptops plus several other devices. This article, "USB Powered AA NiMH and NiCd Battery Charger," reviews several and tells how to build your own.

A variety of alternative power sources are available for recharging electronic devices. James Martin reviews these for PC World in Dec. 2004, in his article "Power for Your Portable," and a June 2008 review is available by Robert J. Elisberg at the Huffington Post, "The Writers Workbench: Power to the People."

The Buzz

Several companies are working on new kinds of rechargeable batteries with more capacity than those now available. Fuel-cell prototypes, which are being tested today, can last up to ten times longer than batteries. This means that these alternative power sources may hit the consumer market within the next five to ten years. Eco-friendly batteries that use organic and biodegradable materials that last longer and recharge in no time are also on the horizon. For more information, see "Eco-Friendly Batteries on the Horizon" by PC Magazine's Lisa Zyga.

We found some interesting articles on batteries and how they work. There's a huge amount of information on How Stuff Works -- everything from battery chemistry to history, to pictures of disassembled batteries.

NiMH batteries should be recycled rather than thrown away at the end of their life cycle. Since they don't contain cadmium, they're considered more environmentally friendly than NiCad batteries, but do contain cobalt, another toxic heavy metal that can build up in soil (and in human bodies). For the nearest recycling location, see RBRC.org.

Several forums discuss batteries. For discussions of digital camera batteries, check DPReview.com. For batteries used in flashlights and other general uses, check the flashlight enthusiast site, CandlePowerForums.com.

Bill Howard's article in PC Magazine, "Getting the Most from Your Batteries," focuses on laptop batteries but also discusses NiMH batteries.

Battery Manufacturers:

Duracell

Energizer

Maha

Panasonic

Sanyo