Timeline for Can you recharge non-rechargeable alkaline batteries?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
8 events
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| Sep 24, 2013 at 19:40 | comment | added | Ask About Monica | I had one about twenty years ago, and it worked. It didn't work well, and wouldn't restore batteries to anywhere near full capacity; but I could get a few more hours on my radio, etc. So, one more anecdote. (By the way, I had some batteries rupture and discharge chemicals while charging, which might be why you don't see these devices around much.) | |
| Sep 23, 2013 at 14:33 | history | edited | Hendy | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
migrated image from personal site to SE's hosted imgur stie
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| Apr 19, 2013 at 18:31 | comment | added | Chris Cudmore | I knew a guy that had one of these. It worked, but wasn't worth the hassle of battery management. [citation: some guy] | |
| Apr 15, 2013 at 16:05 | comment | added | Hendy | @Bigbio2002 I did try to cover the "doesn't actually have to work to be patented" issue by citing the necessary requirement for utility. Your are wrong about perpetual motion machines; a quick Google search -> first Wiki hit showed that: "[The USPTO] has made an official policy of refusing to grant patents for perpetual motion machines without a working model." The chemistry avenue would be a fantastic one to show and would indeed eliminate a lot of speculation I had to make with the limited sources above. ETA: just saw your answer! | |
| Apr 9, 2013 at 16:14 | comment | added | Bigbio2002 | -1. While this is definitely a well-written answer, I believe the sources are insufficient and the conclusion is incorrect. As Oddthinking pointed out, an idea doesn't actually have to work to be patented (there are many patents for perpetual motion machines, for example). If a device like this was real, I'd expect to see it on Amazon for sale and have reviews from some well-known organizations. On top of that, I don't believe the chemical design of an alkaline battery allows for recharging. | |
| Aug 13, 2012 at 11:52 | comment | added | Oddthinking♦ | The USPTO don't carefully check that an invention actually works, so there is a limited amount you can conclude from a patent's claims. | |
| Jun 23, 2011 at 23:59 | vote | accept | Chris Dennett | ||
| Jun 22, 2011 at 21:25 | history | answered | Hendy | CC BY-SA 3.0 |