This project will help high school volunteers:

• The importance of energy storage and batteries within a sustainable energy system.
• The fundamentals of electrochemistry and battery creation.
• Designing a battery optimized for a real-life use case.
• Building a prototype by implementing and modifying your design

The energy demands for our modern society are constantly increasing. With global electricity demands at an all-time high, it is not only important to find alternative energy sources but to also have ways to sustainably store energy. Building Better Batteries aims to provide an engaging experience by introducing our members to the chemistry behind battery technology. By diving into how batteries function, exploring energy storage case studies, and investigating the safety concerns associated with battery chemistry, students will understand how batteries have revolutionized energy storage and environmental sustainability.

A functional battery cell kit that introduces the fundamentals of electrochemistry, Green chemistry principles, and battery design to a middle school audience in a classroom setting. The chemicals, components, and materials used to construct the cell should be inexpensive, easy to acquire, present no hazards to users, and have minimal environmental impact. Documentation and curriculum materials provided with the cell design should include a full bill of materials, presentation materials for instructors, and step-by-step instructions for students. The assembly of and activities involving the cell should be able to be completed by students with minimal instructor assistance. The cell design in the battery kit should include all of the major components of a typical commercial cell to help students learn about real-world battery manufacturing, and the cell should be sealed to the outside environment when fully assembled. Power output and capacity of the cell should be comparable to a small commercial cell so that students can complete activities that demonstrate characterization of cell performance.