Each battery is one idea: move charge by moving atoms. These tours open up the common chemistries — lead-acid, alkaline, the lithium and sodium families, NiMH — and build each from the ground up. Start at the Bohr model of the active element, meet the real molecular structures of the electrodes and electrolyte, step inside the cell, then watch electrons and ions shuttle as you toggle charge against discharge. No hand-waving: the half-reactions, the oxidation states, and the conservation of charge and energy are all on screen, honest enough for an engineer and clear enough for the curious.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of zinc and manganese, the active materials, the cutaway dry cell, and the discharge sim — the oldest primary battery, eating its own zinc can to light the lamp.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of nickel and hydrogen, the active materials, the cutaway cylindrical cell, and the charge ⇄ discharge sim — hydrogen shuttling while nickel flips between Ni³⁺ and Ni²⁺.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of lithium and nickel, the active materials, the cutaway cylindrical cell, and the charge ⇄ discharge sim — Li⁺ rocking between graphite and a nickel-rich layered oxide.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of sodium and manganese, the active materials, the cutaway cylindrical cell, and the charge ⇄ discharge sim — Na⁺ rocking between a hard-carbon anode and a layered NaₓMnO₂ cathode.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr model of lithium and cobalt, the active materials, the cutaway pouch cell, and the charge ⇄ discharge sim — the same rocking-chair Li-ion chemistry, made flat and flexible by a gel-polymer electrolyte.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of lithium and manganese, the active materials, the CR2032 cutaway, and the discharge sim — a primary cell where Li⁺ inserts into MnO₂.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of lithium and iron, the active materials, the cutaway cell, and the charge ⇄ discharge sim — Li⁺ rocking between a graphite anode and an olivine LiFePO₄ cathode.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr model of lead, the four active materials, the cutaway cell, and the charge ⇄ discharge sim — lead shuttling between three oxidation states.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of lithium and cobalt, the active materials, the cutaway 18650 cell, and the charge ⇄ discharge sim — Li⁺ rocking between graphite and LiCoO₂.
A 3D working-mechanism tour: the Bohr models of zinc and manganese, the active materials, the cutaway AA cell, and the discharge sim — a primary Zn∣MnO₂ cell in strong KOH.