In this project, students will assemble a battery of their own design that will aim to reach certain performance metrics while also avoiding hazardous concerns for users and the environment.
This project will help high school volunteers:
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.
Saeed is a PhD Candidate completing his degree in Materials Science at North Carolina State University. He has been volunteering with TSoG since 2020 and is dedicated to helping students learn about battery technology.
Margo is a chemist from Yale who is working toward her PhD, and she’s been a TSoG volunteer since 2020. She is passionate about teaching students about green energy and electrochemistry.
Trevor works to keep students in the know of what’s happening with this project, and help with administration and logistics behind the scenes. He is working through his PhD focused in biomedical engineering.
For more specific information about this project, email Saeed Saeed – ssaeed@tsogiants.org or Margo Feuer – mfeuer@tsogiants.org
For volunteering questions, email Kareena Chawla at kchawla@tsogiants.org
The Shoulders of Giants, Inc is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) publicly funded charity.
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The Shoulders of Giants, Inc.
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