Nine-volt battery batteries were formerly made in this size. They had higher capacity than the then-standard carbon-zinc types, a nominal voltage of 8.4 volts, and very stable voltage. Once used in photographic and measuring instruments or long-life applications, they are no longer manufactured as mercury is highly toxic and accumulates in the ecosystem, posing a risk to humans and wildlife. Most battery voltage testers and chargers that can also test nine-volt need another snap clip to hold the battery, while cylindrical batteries often share a holder that may be adjustable in size. Because of the proximity of the positive and negative terminals
Cadmium telluride photovoltaics in Mexico and Sweden. In 1984 astrophysicists identified tellurium as the universe's most abundant element having an atomic number over 40. Certain undersea ridges are rich in tellurium. The manufacture of a CdTe cell includes a thin coating with cadmium chloride () to increase the cell's overall efficiency. Cadmium chloride is toxic, relatively expensive and highly soluble in water, posing a potential environmental threat during manufacture. In 2014 research discovered that abundant and harmless magnesium chloride () performs as well as cadmium chloride. This research may lead to cheaper and safer CdTe cells. By themselves, cadmium and tellurium are toxic