Course syllabus for Rechargeable batteries: From atom to cell

Course syllabus adopted 2023-06-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameLaddningsbara batterisystem: från atom till cell
  • CodeTRA280
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTRACKS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • DepartmentTRACKS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 97131
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0123 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH		0 c3.8 c3.7 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

In addition to the general requirements to study at advanced level at Chalmers, necessary subject or project specific prerequisite competences (if any) must be fulfilled. Alternatively, the student must obtain the necessary competences during the course. The examiner will formulate and check these prerequisite competences.

The student will only be admitted in agreement with the examiner.

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide a platform to work and solve challenging cross-disciplinary authentic problems from different stakeholders in society such as the academy, industry or public institutions. Additionally, the aim is that students from different educational programs practice working efficiently in global multidisciplinary development teams.

The aim of this course is to provide an in-depth understanding of all core battery components, the theory needed to understand battery operation, understand the strengths and weaknesses of both state-of-the-art battery technologies and next-generation battery technologies, and gain a practical in-sight into how to assemble batteries and subsequently test them.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)


Valid for all Tracks courses:
  • critically and creatively identify and/or formulate advanced architectural or engineering problems
  • master problems with open solutions spaces which includes to be able to handle uncertainties and limited information.
  • lead and participate in the development of new products, processes and systems using a holistic approach by following a design process and/or a systematic development process.
  • work in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate in teams with different compositions
  • show insights about cultural differences and to be able to work sensitively with them.
  • show insights about and deal with the impact of architecture and/or engineering solutions in a global, economic, environment and societal context.
  • identify ethical aspects and discuss and judge their consequences in relation to the specific problem
  • orally and in writing explain and discuss information, problems, methods, design/development processes and solutions
  • fulfill project specific learning outcomes
Course specific:
  • Describe the fundamental thermodynamic and electrochemical process that underpin the energy storage mechanism of batteries.
  • Knowledge of materials used in key battery components including cathode, anode, and electrolyte and their respective functional mechanisms.
  • In-depth theoretical understanding of materials, and the corresponding electrochemical processes.
  • Show the practical ability to assemble and test battery materials and analysis of data.
  • Address the perspective and challenge for next generation batteries.

Content

Introduction to batteries, Li-ion battery components and materials (cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator), electrochemical understanding of processes in batteries, battery recycling, batteries in application and performance metrics, state of battery production, understanding how to assemble, test, and analyze a battery, state of battery research (next-generation batteries).

Organisation

The course is run by a teaching team.
The main part of the course is a challenge driven project. The challenge may range from being broad societal to profound research driven. The project task is solved in a group. The course is supplemented by on-demand teaching and learning of the skills necessary for the project. The project team will have one university examiner, one or a pole of university supervisors and one or a pole of external co-supervisors if applicable.

Tracks-theme: Sustainable Transports

Four full days of lectures, lab and team project.
You will perform projects and laboratory work
both individually and in groups.
Topics for projects span from materials and mechanisms to the system perspective and can be tailored to match your background and interest. In addition there will be assignments and problems related to the lectures and course literature.

Literature

Relevant literature is retrieved and acquired by the students as a part of the project.

All the following books are available as digital resources through Chalmers Library
Entire course
Batteries for Electric Vehicles – Helena Berg
History and Introduction
Lithium Batteries – Bruno Scrosati, K.M. Abraham, Walter van Schalkwijk, Jusef Hassoun
Chapter 2, Pages 21-38
Electrochemical Energy Storage – Jean-Marie Tarascon, Patrice Simon
Chapter 1, Pages 21-30
Electrochemistry
Lithium Batteries – Bruno Scrosati, K.M. Abraham, Walter van Schalkwijk, Jusef Hassoun
Chapter 1, Pages 1-19
Linden’s Handbook of Batteries (4th edition) – Kirby W. Beard
Chapter 1, Pages 3-22
Chapter 4, Pages 95-123
Cathode
Batteries for Sustainability – Ralph J. Brodd
Chapter 2, Pages 4-32
Anode
Batteries for Electric Vehicles – Helena Berg
Chapter 3, Pages 86-99
Batteries for Sustainability – Ralph J. Brodd
Chapter 3, Pages 71-72
Electrolyte
Batteries for Electric Vehicles – Helena Berg
Chapter 3, Pages 114-124
Next Generation Batteries
Batteries for Sustainability – Ralph J. Brodd
Chapter 2, Pages 33-36
Lithium Batteries – Bruno Scrosati, K.M. Abraham, Walter van Schalkwijk, Jusef Hassoun
Chapter 1, Pages 1-19

Examination including compulsory elements

The course will have three forms of examination:
  • Before lecture days 2,3,4, and your lab session, you will receive a series of study questions that  you must hand in at the beginning of each session.
  • In addition to these study questions, you will be examined on the quality and content of a lab  report you submit no later than 2 weeks after your lab session 
  • Finally, on the last lecture day, there will be group seminars, where the class will be split into  groups of 3, giving 15-minute presentations on a topic of choice.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.