Batteries, Batteries, Batteries! from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Know the history of batteries.
Know some fun facts about energy storage.

Learn details about lithium ion batteries.
Learn the basics of how batteries work.

Know the history of batteries.
Know some fun facts about energy storage.
Learn details about lithium ion batteries.
Learn the basics of how batteries work.

Syllabus

Introduction to the course

This is the introduction to the class, a welcome, and a quick overview of what you will learn.

Can you know if a battery is charged by bouncing to off a table? Click this video to find out.

Why are batteries important? Why should we care? This video will give you an overview of the challenges we face with battery technologies.

Did you know batteries have been around for more than a thousand years?

In the 1900s a large number of cars produced were electric. Today, not so much. Why?

Start by learning what ions and electrons are and why they re important in batteries.

This video explains what electrical current is.

This video explains what voltage is.

The two most used metrics in batteries are energy and power density. This video teaches what they are and how to derive them.

Don't let your batteries die prematurely! Use these tricks to make them last longer.

Basic description of how a battery works.

Distinguish the different types of batteries and the materials that are in them.

Are batteries only used in electronic devices? No, they are used almost everywhere!

Why do we like lithium so much for batteries? Why not other materials?

Take this quiz to practice a few simple concepts learned in class.

Learn about the different materials that can be used to make battery cathodes.

Learn about the different materials that can be used to make battery anodes.

Learn about electrolytes that are used in lithium ion batteries.

Why batteries explode and how you can prevent it.

Some thoughts on the future of battery technologies.

Amazing job! I am grateful you chose my course.

This is a bibliography of you want to learn more about batteries. I will update it from time to time to include new articles or books.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the history of batteries, which may appeal to learners interested in the evolution of technology and its impact on society

Starts with the very basics of electrochemistry and the physics of how batteries work, which is helpful for learners with no prior knowledge

Includes fun facts about energy storage, which may spark curiosity and make learning more engaging for a general audience

Discusses the challenges faced with battery technologies, which is relevant to those interested in electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions

Allows learners with some advanced knowledge of chemistry to skip initial lectures and go into more advanced sections, which caters to different levels of expertise

Teaches tricks to make batteries last longer, which is useful for everyday life and can help learners save money and reduce waste

Reviews summary

Introduction to battery technology basics

According to students, this course provides a solid introduction to the world of batteries. Learners found the explanations of basic principles like current, voltage, and energy density to be clear and easy to understand. The course covers different types of batteries, with a notable focus on lithium-ion technology. Many appreciated the inclusion of interesting historical facts and practical information. While reviewers generally found it great for beginners with no prior knowledge, some felt it lacked the depth needed for those seeking advanced technical details or detailed chemistry.

Good overview of Li-ion batteries.

"The section on lithium-ion batteries was particularly informative."

"I learned a lot about the different materials used in Li-ion cells."

"Covers the basics of modern Li-ion technology well."

"Explains the differences between various lithium battery types."

Fun facts and history made learning engaging.

"The historical facts and fun tidbits were really interesting!"

"Enjoyed learning why batteries explode and how to make them last."

"The practical tips and surprising facts kept me engaged throughout."

"Who knew batteries had such a long history? Very cool."

Excellent starting point for newcomers.

"This course is perfect if you're completely new to batteries."

"As someone with zero prior knowledge, I found it very accessible."

"It's a great introductory course covering the essentials."

"Ideal for beginners or those looking for a general overview."

Fundamental battery concepts explained well.

"The basic principles of how batteries work were explained very clearly."

"I finally understood current, voltage, and energy density thanks to this course."

"Helped me grasp the fundamentals easily, even with no science background."

"The course did a good job breaking down complex ideas into simple terms."

May not be detailed enough for experts.

"If you already have some chemistry knowledge, it might be too basic."

"Was hoping for more in-depth technical details and advanced concepts."

"It scratches the surface, but doesn't delve deep into specific chemistries."

"Better suited as a broad overview than a technical deep dive."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Batteries, Batteries, Batteries! with these activities:

Review Basic Chemistry Concepts

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental chemistry principles, which are essential for grasping the electrochemical processes within batteries.

Browse courses on Electrochemistry

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Review the structure of atoms and ions.
Study oxidation and reduction reactions.
Practice balancing chemical equations.

Read 'Batteries in a Portable World'

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Gain a deeper understanding of battery technologies and their applications by exploring this comprehensive handbook.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Batteries in a Portable World'.
Read the chapters on Lithium Ion and other battery chemistries.
Take notes on key concepts and applications.

Create a Battery Comparison Chart

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Solidify your understanding of different battery types by creating a visual comparison chart highlighting their key characteristics and applications.

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Research different battery chemistries (e.g., Li-ion, NiMH, Lead-acid).
Identify key comparison metrics (e.g., energy density, lifespan, cost).
Create a chart summarizing the information.
Share your chart with classmates for feedback.

Three other activities

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Build a Simple Battery-Powered Circuit

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Apply your knowledge of batteries by building a simple circuit to power an LED or small motor.

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Gather the necessary components (battery, LED/motor, wires, resistor).
Design a simple circuit diagram.
Assemble the circuit and test its functionality.
Troubleshoot any issues that arise.

Presentation on Battery Safety

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Reinforce your understanding of battery safety by creating a presentation outlining potential hazards and preventative measures.

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Research common battery-related hazards (e.g., overheating, explosions).
Identify safety precautions for handling and storing batteries.
Create a presentation with clear and concise information.
Present your findings to a small group or record a video.

Explore 'Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications'

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Delve into the electrochemical principles governing battery operation with this advanced textbook.

View Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and... on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Electrochemical Methods'.
Focus on chapters related to electrochemistry and energy storage.
Work through example problems to solidify understanding.

Career center

Learners who complete Batteries, Batteries, Batteries! will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Energy Storage Specialist

An energy storage specialist focuses on technologies for storing energy, often using batteries. This course is relevant to an energy storage specialist, as it reviews the fundamental principles of batteries, including current, voltage, and energy density, which are all applicable to those in this career field. This course also helps build a foundation of knowledge about different types of batteries, especially the focus on lithium-ion batteries that are prevalent in many modern energy storage systems. This course also introduces the concepts of longevity and proper handling of batteries, which can be valuable for an energy storage specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Energy Storage Specialist

Battery Technician

A battery technician works with various battery systems, often in manufacturing, maintenance, or testing. This course helps build a foundation for understanding battery principles, types, and applications, allowing a battery technician to better troubleshoot, assemble, or test battery systems. The course provides fundamental knowledge on current, voltage, and energy density, which are critical for the work of a battery technician. The content of the course around different battery chemistries, particularly lithium-ion, is also beneficial to success in this career field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Battery Technician

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers design and develop electrical systems, and in some cases, these systems involve batteries as a core component. An electrical engineer should be knowledgeable about battery types, how they work and their limitations, which this course explains. This course may also help an electrical engineer understand energy storage solutions. The course's focus on the history of batteries, the basics of electrochemistry, the physics of battery operation, and lithium ion technologies helps build the context and depth needed in the work of an electrical engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Automotive Engineer

Automotive engineers design vehicles and their systems, with increasing focus on electric vehicles and their battery systems. This course can be useful for an automotive engineer to grasp the basics of battery technology, which is key in designing electric or hybrid vehicles. The course details the principles of battery operation, different battery types, and the specifics of lithium ion batteries, all of which are helpful for those employed as an automotive engineer, especially considering the increasing trend of electric vehicles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Engineer

Product Development Engineer

A product development engineer works on the design and development of new products. Many modern consumer products use battery technology, so this course helps a product development engineer understand how to integrate battery technology into product design. The course's comprehensive overview of battery principles, types, and applications, including lithium-ion batteries, can provide the foundation to make informed design choices as a product development engineer. This course can also help the engineer understand limitations and other constraints, such as energy density or proper handling and charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Development Engineer

Quality Control Specialist

Quality control specialists ensure products meet established standards, sometimes by testing samples, which can include batteries. This course may be useful to establish a foundation in understanding the basic principles of how batteries work, which may help them perform their work. The course material on current, voltage, and energy density, and on different types of batteries can be useful to a quality control specialist. Specifically, the content on lithium batteries and their unique properties is relevant to this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Specialist

Renewable Energy Consultant

A renewable energy consultant advises clients on sustainable energy solutions, which often include battery storage systems. Understanding the fundamentals of battery technology is essential for a renewable energy consultant, and this course provides relevant knowledge, which can be helpful in creating a basis for further more specialized study. The course provides the history of batteries, the principles of how batteries work, and the different types of batteries, all of which are helpful for a renewable energy consultant to understand. In particular, the material on lithium-ion batteries is relevant in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Renewable Energy Consultant

Materials Scientist

Materials scientists research and develop new materials, and batteries are a key application area. This course may provide an introduction to the basic concepts of how batteries work, and this can help a materials scientist to understand the specific needs of battery technology, informing design and development choices. The course covers the different types of battery materials—including cathodes, anodes, and electrolytes—which help a materials scientist understand the chemistry at play. This course may be useful for a materials scientist who wants to explore new materials for batteries.

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Battery Sales Representative

A battery sales representative needs to understand battery technology to effectively communicate the features and benefits of their products. This course may be useful to provide the necessary basic understanding of how batteries work, of current, voltage, and energy density, and of different types of batteries. The sections regarding lithium ion batteries and their pros and cons could be particularly beneficial to a battery sales representative.

See salaries and explore the career path for Battery Sales Representative

Research Scientist

A research scientist performs scientific research and usually has an advanced degree. This course may provide insights into battery technology's fundamentals. This fundamental knowledge can be helpful for researching new or novel methods in the field of battery technology. The course content on history, battery physics, and different chemistries can be a useful overview for someone who requires background knowledge in these areas, which can be helpful to a research scientist.

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Technical Writer

Technical writers create documentation for technical products. For those that work on battery technology products, this course may be useful to build a foundation for understanding battery components and functionality. By building a basic understanding of the material, a technical writer can better produce manuals and user guides. In particular, this course teaches the core physics and chemistries of batteries, which can be helpful in writing clear and effective descriptions of batteries.

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Science Communicator

A science communicator translates scientific information to the public. This course may be useful for a science communicator to discuss batteries in a way that is accessible and fun. This course goes over the history of batteries and the basics of how they work. Also, the course provides fun facts about batteries and resources to learn more, which can be helpful for a science communicator to create engaging content about energy technology.

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Teacher

A teacher can use the material in this course to educate students about the basics of battery technology. This course can help a teacher introduce students to the science behind batteries. This course goes over concepts like current, voltage, and energy density, and covers the different types of batteries, which can be useful to teach others. The course's design to gradually introduce more complex material makes it suitable for a teacher to gain understanding of the subject to teach.

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Logistics Coordinator

A logistics coordinator is involved in the transportation and storage of various products including batteries. This course may be useful for a logistics coordinator to become aware of the unique needs, such as safety and temperature, for handling batteries. The course explains why batteries explode and how to prevent it, and provides context on how they are made. While this course is not a substitute for professional training, it may be a useful introduction for those in this role.

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Recycling Specialist

A recycling specialist is involved in the handling, processing, and disposal of recyclable materials, including batteries. This course may be useful for a recycling specialist to learn about the different components of batteries and the safety concerns associated with them. This course helps build an understanding of what lithium batteries are and how different types of batteries work, which can inform best practices in recycling. Knowing the distinct chemistries and materials used in different batteries would be helpful to this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Recycling Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Batteries, Batteries, Batteries!.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a comprehensive overview of rechargeable battery technologies, including Nickel-Metal Hydride and Lithium Ion. It delves into the intricacies of battery chemistries, performance characteristics, and applications. It serves as a valuable reference for understanding the practical aspects of battery technology. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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Electrochemical Methods

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Provides a rigorous treatment of electrochemical principles and techniques. While more advanced, it offers a deeper understanding of the underlying science behind battery operation. It standard textbook for electrochemistry courses at the graduate level. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference.

Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and...

Paperback

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Batteries, Batteries, Batteries!

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Introduction to battery technology basics

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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