The next major discovery was made around 1780 by Luigi Galvani. Galvani observed that when connected pieces of iron and brass were applied to a frog’s leg, it caused a twitch. This paved the way for further research in “voltaic” electricity.

In 1800, Alessandro Volta invented the first “wet cell battery” that produced a reliable current. Volta researched the effects of dissimilar metal when exposed to saltwater. This stack of metals was termed the “Voltaic pile.”

John Daniel made a significant improvement to the voltaic cell in 1836. This new cell, called the Daniel cell, consisted of copper and zinc plates and copper and zinc sulfates. It was safer than the Volta’s cell, and was used to operate telegraphs and doorbells.

In the 1860s, Raymond Gaston Plante invented the first lead-acid battery that could be recharged many times. He immersed two thin solid lead plates separated by rubber sheets in a dilute sulfuric acid solution. Unfortunately, his version had a very short shelf life and was not very powerful.

Since then many other improvements have been made to lead-acid technology as well as other types of batteries: such as alkaline, nickel, mercury cells, fuel cells and solar cells.

Among the biggest advances in lead-acid battery constructions is the improvement in lead grid alloys. In the past, batteries mainly relied on antimony in alloying elements for castability and hardness. However, the greater the concentration of antimony in the grid alloy, the greater the rate of water loss and self discharge. The popular lead-acid battery of today is a low water loss battery. The grids of a low watery loss battery (referred to as maintenance-free) contain little or no antimony. Metals such as Calcium are substituted in order to provide the necessary mechanical strength, while reducing gassing and self-discharge.

Another advance in grid composition involved the addition of silver into the calcium-lead alloy. This new silver alloy proved to be extremely resistant to growth and corrosion significantly lengthening battery life in high heat and severe service conditions. With today’s vehicles having more severe service demands and increasing under-the-hood temperatures, the silver alloy became a very popular addition.

Other improvements in the way lead-acid batteries are manufactured have significantly contributed to longer life with more power-per-pound. Advances in the oxide, pasting, cast-on-strap, assembly, acid filling, and formation process have all contribute to the improved battery you see today.

Lead-acid batteries have also advanced in the way they utilize electrolyte, making them completely spillproof. The first type of spillproof battery was developed in the mid-1960’s in Germany. They were called “Gel Cells” because of their very unique gelled electrolyte. The acid electrolyte had the consistency of “Petroleum Jelly” and was made by mixing the sulfuric acid with silica powder. These batteries also feature a pressurized venting system that nearly eliminated water loss through a process called oxygen recombination.

In the late 70’s, another type of spillproof battery was developed. Instead of using gelled-electrolyte, this type of battery used a unique highly absorbent separator to hold the acid like a sponge. These batteries utilized a non-woven separator made from spun-glass microfibers that absorb and hold the acid. These batteries were appropriately named Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries or AGM for short. Like gel batteries, they also operate on the principle of oxygen recombination.

Although technology continues to change, lead-acid batteries have a very bright future. They are completely recyclable, relatively inexpensive, and can be made to provide reliable power to almost any application. New advanced in lead-acid technology, like Absorbed Glass Mat and Gelled designs, further strengthening their capabilities as a source for dependable power.

CARQUEST is proud to offer batteries made with innovation and leading edge technology helping to continue the evolution of the lead-acid battery design.