Battery chemistries and components

Course contents

• Battery types and history
• Lithium ion battery and principle
• Anode and cathode materials used in lithium ion batteries
• Electrolytes and other significant components for lithium-ion batteries
• Preparation of a single battery cell
• Battery cell assembling
• Overview of other potential battery technologies

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the students will

• learn the basic knowledge of the battery materials and structures
• understand the operation principle of Li-ion battery, its structure, cell assembling
• learn how to improve the battery performances and especially, battery development from green chemistry viewpoint
• be familiar with the basics of chemistry and components in the battery system

Teaching methods

• Interactive lectures using an online system (recorded)
• Project work on the given topic
• Self-learning material
• The course contains an interactive part related to battery cell assembling

Assessment methods

Examination based on the course exercises.

Workload

Total workload is 135 h of which scheduled studies 30 h, project work 30 h and independent studies 75 h.

Lectures

1. Introduction to rechargeable batteries

• Traditional technologies for rechargeable batteries (Lead-acid, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH etc.)
• Lithium ion batteries, operation principle

2. Anode materials used in lithium ion batteries  

• Negative electrode materials
• Graphite anodes
• LTO, Si-C
• Environmental viewpoint

3. Positive electrode materials used in lithium ion batteries

• LCO, NCM chemistries
• LFP etc.
• Environmental viewpoint

4. Electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries

• Liquid electrolytes
• Solid electrolytes
• Environmental viewpoint, safety issues
• Improved battery safety through chemistry

5. Other significant components for lithium-ion batteries

• Separators
• Binders and solvents
• Conductive carbon

6. Preparation of a single battery cell

• Video installation
• Evaluation from recyclability viewpoint

7. Overview of other potential battery technologies

• New battery technologies, metal-air (zinc-air), vanadium redox-flow batteries, sulfur-flow-battery, etc.

8. Sustainable battery cell assembling

• Battery recycling viewpoint (metals recovery and reuse)
• Battery long-life time

More information in the University of Oulu study guide.

You can get a digital badge after completing this course.

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