according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_cell a battery cell is an electrochemical cell is a device capable of either deriving electrical energy from chemical reactions, or facilitating chemical reactions through the introduction of electrical energy. A common example of an electrochemical cell is a standard 1.5-volt "battery". While according to http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/ voltaic cell is an electric cell that generates an electromotive force by an irreversible conversion of chemical to electrical energy; cannot be recharged.