Fundamentals of battery electrochemistry

Description

Course description

Chemical reactions occur in a battery to produce electricity which drives electronic devices, power tools and electric vehicles. The reactions require the movement of ions and electrons from one material to another material. This course introduces some fundamental concepts of electrochemistry that are applied in the design and study of batteries.

Subjects covered in the course:

This course introduces some fundamental concepts of electrochemistry that are applied in the design and study of batteries. It will cover simple topic like the definition of electrochemical reactions, the dring force for electron transfer in redox reactions, and the description of electrochemical cells. Terms such as charge (or capacity), potential, energy, and power that are essential to describe a battery will be explained along with some examples. In addition, the course will provide a brief introduction to typical electrochemical techniques needed to characterize a battery.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the students will be able to

• Define what an electrochemical reaction is.
• Explain oxidation and reduction reactions
• Describe an electrochemical cell and its basic components.
• Discuss how a battery operates.
• Identify the major differences between primary and secondary battery technologies.
• Detail some essential parameters (capacity, voltage, energy and power) which describe the performance of a battery.
• Understand how electrode materials affect the characteristics and performance of batteries.
• Give examples of techniques used to study the performance of a battery.

Why should learners join this course?

This course is meant for those who would like to refresh their knowledge of electrochemistry, and further advance understanding of batteries. It will have the opportunity to further explore electrochemical principles that govern the construction and operation of rechargeable batteries. Equipped with basic electrochemistry, the students are expected to better understand the rest of the courses in this program.