Electrical batteries. Collection of electrical batteries. Batteries are chemical systems designed to store and slowly release electrical energy. The batteries seen here are mostly dry, though the car battery (large one at the back) is an example of a wet battery (one that uses liquid chemicals). Some batteries can be recharged (one at lower right) by using electricity to restore the chemical balance. Batteries use a wide variety of chemicals, ranging from nickel, cadmium and zinc to lithium, lead and acids. They can also vary widely in size, down to the small batteries that are used in watches and other small electrical devices (bottom centre).