Memóriaeffektus

Memóriaeffektus is a term that describes a phenomenon observed in certain types of rechargeable batteries, most notably Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) batteries. It refers to a situation where a battery, after being repeatedly partially discharged and then recharged, appears to lose its capacity. The battery effectively "remembers" the lowest point of its previous discharge cycle and behaves as if that point is its new full capacity, reducing the voltage output prematurely.

This effect is a form of memory loss in the battery's electrochemical structure. It is not a permanent degradation of the battery's materials but rather a crystalline formation within the cadmium electrode. These crystals can interfere with the normal chemical reactions that occur during charging and discharging, leading to the perceived loss of capacity.

The memóriaeffektus is less common in modern battery technologies like Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which are more tolerant of partial discharge cycles. For NiCd batteries, a common remedy to counteract the memóriaeffektus was to perform a full discharge and recharge cycle periodically. This deep discharge could help to break down the crystalline formations and restore the battery's original capacity. However, due to the environmental concerns associated with cadmium and the advent of superior battery technologies, NiCd batteries are now rarely used in consumer electronics.