UNIK4810 – Battery Technology
Course description
Course content
The course will focus on the fundamentals of electrochemical energy storage considering the operation and design of various battery technologies. A survey of specific primary and rechargeable batteries, e.g. Lead-acid, Li-ion, NiMH, NaS, metal-air etc., will be covered. Their advantages and disadvantages, operation and safety will be analysed. Integrating basic science and engineering with cost analysis and policy considerations will provide a complete picture of the development of modern battery storage systems.
Learning outcome
After completing this course, you will have a good foundation to:
- Understand the basic physical concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics involved in electrochemical reactions, e.g. charge transfer at the electrode interfaces; cell resistance; ion diffusion and migration; electron diffusion into the electrode; concentration gradients within the electrolyte; capacity fade
- Describe the components and processes in batteries: separators, binder, electrolyte, additives, ion insertion/de-insertion, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, degradation (cycle life, calendar life, overcharging)
- Analyze the Li-ion battery development and safety issues (thermal runaway, short-circuiting, fire/explosion hazard)
- Familiarize with the characterization methods of batteries, e.g. charge/discharge cycles, overpotential, battery capacity, state of charge, state of health, impedance
- Discuss the selection criteria for commercial battery systems according to different applications, e.g evaluating chemistries versus the ability to recharge; evaluating the design (such as electrode thickness) to tune the power versus energy and lifetime; temperature range; maintenance; cost
- Describe the process of battery production: lab-scale and industrial battery assembly (electrode, cell, module); battery management systems
- Review the various battery applications: mobility, mild hybrid, plug-in-hybrid, battery electric vehicle (BEV) for cars and ships, utilities, grid storage
- Discuss the Life Cycle Analysis according to cost and environmental aspects; material and energy consumption, reuse, recycling
- Critically evaluate the utility and viability of technological claims in literature
Admission
Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
The course is based on knowledge as given by the courses UNIK4800 – Renewable Energy: science and technology (continued) and MENA3200 – Energy Materials (continued). The course is designed for master students with limited experience in electrochemistry.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap with UNIK9810 – Battery Technology (continued)
Teaching
Lectures, homework and exercises. Practical laboratory experience are mandatory. A compulsory written final project has to be approved before you can enter the final examination. Students will also give a short presentation to the class about the result of their project.
Examination
The final project will need to be approved before entering the final examination. A final oral examination counts for 100% of the final grade (there may be held a written exam if many students).
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.