voltaic

Voltaic is an adjective relating to electricity produced by chemical action. In historical contexts, it denotes electricity generated by electrochemical cells, especially the voltaic cell or voltaic pile devised by Alessandro Volta. The term reflects Volta's experiments that demonstrated a steady current from chemical reactions rather than friction or static charge.

Alessandro Volta (1745–1827) invented the voltaic pile in 1800, composing alternating discs of zinc and copper separated by layers of electrolyte-soaked cardboard. When connected by a conductor, these cells produced a continuous direct current, enabling early studies of electricity and paving the way for modern batteries. The voltaic pile is considered the first true electrical battery.

In modern language, voltaic is less commonly used outside historical contexts; contemporary terms prefer electrochemical, battery, or galvanic when referring to chemistry-generated electricity. The SI unit volt honors Volta for his contributions; the concept of voltaic phenomena underpins current rechargeable and non-rechargeable battery technologies, though with far different chemistries and structural designs than the original pile.