nickel-iron accumulator

Variant: Edison cell; NIFE cell

A secondary cell devised by Thomas Edison (1847–1931) having a positive plate of nickel oxide and a negative plate of iron both immersed in an electrolyte of potassium hydroxide. The reaction on discharge is

, the reverse occurring during charging. Each cell gives an e.m.f. of about 1.2 volts and produces about 100 kJ per kilogram during each discharge. The nickel-cadmium cell is a similar device with a negative cadmium electrode. It is often used as a dry cell. Compare lead-acid accumulator.

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