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Introduction to battery-management systems

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5730, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

This course will provide you with a firm foundation in lithium-ion cell terminology and function and in battery-management-system requirements as needed by the remainder of the specialization. After completing this course, you will be able to:

- List the major functions provided by a battery-management system and state their purpose

- Match battery terminology to a list of definitions

- Identify the major components of a lithium-ion cell and their purpose

- Understand how a battery-management system “measures” current, temperature, and isolation, and how it controls contactors

- Identify electronic components that can provide protection and specify a minimum set of protections needed

- Compute stored energy in a battery pack

- List the manufacturing steps of different types of lithium-ion cells and possible failure modes

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What's inside

Syllabus

Battery Boot Camp

This week, you will learn some important terminology used to describe battery cells, and will learn the principles of operation of standard electrochemical battery cells.

How lithium-ion cells work

This week, you will learn some of the principal advantages of lithium-ion cells versus standard electrochemical battery cells, what are their primary components, and how they work.

BMS sensing and high-voltage control

This week, you will begin to learn about BMS requirements, and will study the requirements for sensing and high-voltage control in detail.

BMS design requirements 2-5

This week, you will continue to learn about BMS requirements, studying requirements for protection, interface, performance management, and diagnostics in detail.

How are cells made? How can they fail?

This week, you will learn in more detail than before how lithium-ion cells are made and how they can fail.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Battery-management-system requirements are taught thoroughly in this course

Different lithium-ion cell types and their failure modes are covered in detail

Participants with a background in electrical engineering will find this course easy to follow

Provides a firm foundation for those looking to work with lithium-ion cells

Course could help learners fulfill continuing education requirements

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Reviews summary

Battery management basics

learners say this course offers a largely positive overview of essential principles and battery management systems (BMS). It starts with battery technology, delving into cell chemistry before covering BMS functions and designs. Quizzes and assignments cement concepts, preparing students for future specialization courses.

Regular quizzes and assignments reinforce concepts and prepare learners for the challenges in subsequent courses.

"Good quizzes that really helped me understand the content much better. Thanks!"

"The quizzes make sure that you have understood the critical topics covered in the course. "

Provides a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical applications, ensuring learners understand the real-world relevance of BMS.

"Great material and appropriate pace. I can't recommend this course highly enough."

"It is a good course to introduce the technical aspects of modern day Li-ion battery technologies and their associated management systems."

Primarily centers on BMS requirements and fundamentals, especially for students interested in electric vehicle applications.

"Very Crisp introduction to basics of BMS and Lithium Ion cells in general"

"Very systematic structured course, easy to understand as well as engaging"

"This course very useful for my career and gain more knowledge so thanks to coursera"

Led by Professor Plett, an experienced instructor who presents complex topics in an accessible manner.

"Excellent methodology of teaching followed by quality quizzes. This course surely generates interest in Batteries"

"The course is result oriented and very helpful. Coursera platform is really good in online learning point of view."

Some learners found the course to be unnecessarily long and could have been condensed.

"The course can be easily finished in 2.5 weeks. It has been unnecessarily dragged so much."

Some students may find the material too slow-paced, particularly if they have a background in basic electrochemistry.

"it's really good and informative but the chemistry in the beginning is too lengthy"

"it is a wonderful course to understand the basics of battery management system. It helps me lot to get the basics."

Could benefit from more worked examples and demonstrations to illustrate concepts and calculations.

"The formulas in week 4 are not entirely clear, and the course would greatly benefit from examples"

"it is advised to watch it in a higher playback speed than normal"

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 Introduction to battery-management systems with these activities:

Read "Batteries for Dummies"

Show steps

This book provides a comprehensive and easy-to-understand overview of battery technologies, which will complement and reinforce the concepts covered in the course.

Show steps

Purchase or borrow a copy of "Batteries for Dummies".
Read through the book at your own pace, focusing on the chapters most relevant to the course.

Help other students understand battery concepts

Show steps

Mentoring others will reinforce your understanding of battery concepts and enhance your communication skills.

Show steps

Identify opportunities to assist classmates or peers who need help with battery-related concepts.
Prepare clear and concise explanations of the concepts.

Develop a project proposal for a battery-powered device

Show steps

Creating a project proposal will allow you to apply your knowledge of battery systems to a real-world scenario and strengthen your understanding of the principles involved.

Show steps

Identify a potential application for a battery-powered device.
Research and gather information on the requirements and specifications for the device.
Design a battery system that meets the requirements of the device.
Develop a project proposal outlining your design and implementation plan.

Show all three activities

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to battery-management systems will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Battery Technician

As a Battery Technician, you will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing batteries. You will also be responsible for ensuring that batteries are safe and meet performance specifications. This course will help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Battery Technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Battery Technician

Battery Scientist

As a Battery Scientist, you will be responsible for conducting research on batteries. You will also be responsible for developing new battery technologies. This course will help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Battery Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Battery Scientist

Battery Engineer

As a Battery Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing batteries. You will also be responsible for ensuring that batteries are safe and meet performance specifications. This course will help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Battery Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Battery Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical systems. You will also be responsible for ensuring that mechanical systems are safe and meet performance specifications. This course will help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Mechanical Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

As an Electrical Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing electrical systems. You will also be responsible for ensuring that electrical systems are safe and meet performance specifications. This course will help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements. This knowledge will be essential for your success as an Electrical Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Materials Scientist

As a Materials Scientist, you will be responsible for conducting research on materials. You will also be responsible for developing new materials. This course will help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements. This knowledge will be essential for your success as a Materials Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Chemical Engineer

As a Chemical Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing chemical processes. You will also be responsible for ensuring that chemical processes are safe and meet performance specifications. This course will help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements. This knowledge may be useful for your success as a Chemical Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing manufacturing processes. You will also be responsible for ensuring that manufacturing processes are safe and meet performance specifications. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Quality Control Engineer

As a Quality Control Engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring that products meet quality standards. You will also be responsible for developing and implementing quality control processes. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Engineer

Project Manager

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and controlling projects. You will also be responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to specification. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you will be responsible for writing technical documentation. You will also be responsible for training users on how to use products and services. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Sales Engineer

As a Sales Engineer, you will be responsible for selling products and services to customers. You will also be responsible for providing technical support to customers. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Marketing Manager

As a Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. You will also be responsible for managing the company's brand. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing business processes and recommending improvements. You will also be responsible for developing and implementing new business processes. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Analyst

As a Financial Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing financial data and making recommendations. You will also be responsible for developing and implementing financial models. This course may help you build a foundation in lithium-ion cell technology and battery-management-system requirements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 18 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 Introduction to battery-management systems.