ICSF Wave 1: GENESIS: Garnet Electrolytes for New Energy Storage Integrated Solutions
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Chemistry
Abstract
The portable electronics boom has been driven by advances made in Li ion battery technology, following the initial work on the lithium cobalt oxide cathode material by Goodenough and co-workers. Other notable advances in terms of phosphate containing cathodes have extended the applications of lithium ion batteries to higher charge/discharge rate applications such as power tools and transport. Applications in terms of the latter have intensified the already substantial interest in lithium ion batteries, as a result of the environmental benefits of hybrid and all electric cars. Further applications as energy storage for renewable sources have also been proposed to overcome the intermittency of supply problems of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. While research on new lithium ion battery electrode materials has been intensive, the development of new electrolyte materials has received comparatively less attention.
In a typical Li ion battery, the electrolyte is usually a Li salt in an organic solvent, as a result of the high Li ion conductivity of such systems. The flammable, toxic and volatile nature of such electrolytes, the instability in conjunction with higher voltage electrode materials, and the desire for miniaturisation are placing distinct limitations on further advances with conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. The use of a solid state electrolyte allows the potential to overcome these problems along with supplying a range of other advances including the simplified production of high voltage battery packs. A further unique advantage of solid state batteries is their low leakage currents, which delivers other potential applications in terms of use in energy harvesting devices. Furthermore the desire for shape-flexible, wearable electronic devices offers another avenue for the exploitation of all solid state battery systems.
This interdisciplinary project involving researchers from chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering and industry aims therefore to develop new Solid State Li ion batteries. Such all solid state cells have been identified as one of the most important future targets in battery research, as illustrated by their inclusion as one of the fast-track projects in the Faraday challenge (industry strategy challenge objective 2). The importance of these batteries lies in their potential to deliver improved safety, reduced size, and higher capacity, as well as to open up new applications such as energy harvesting devices. In particular, the demonstration of a commercially viable scaleable ceramic-based electrolyte with higher safety will offer large benefits in terms of UK wealth generation/investment opportunities (Industry strategy challenge objective 1). In terms of potential commercialisation, the optimisation of garnet Li ion conducting electrolytes, their scale-up synthesis and demonstration in all solid state batteries offers significant potential in terms of Li ion battery technology, with applications ranging from portable consumer devices to transport. In terms of helping to ensure the delivery of impact in this area, a strong link has already been set up with industry, to provide key input into the project from an industrial viewpoint, along with industrial validation of the full cell tests on the most promising systems (industrial strategy challenge objective 3). This will allow UK industry to capitalise on the developments made during this work and offer an early route to exploitation (Industry strategy challenge objective 1).
In a typical Li ion battery, the electrolyte is usually a Li salt in an organic solvent, as a result of the high Li ion conductivity of such systems. The flammable, toxic and volatile nature of such electrolytes, the instability in conjunction with higher voltage electrode materials, and the desire for miniaturisation are placing distinct limitations on further advances with conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. The use of a solid state electrolyte allows the potential to overcome these problems along with supplying a range of other advances including the simplified production of high voltage battery packs. A further unique advantage of solid state batteries is their low leakage currents, which delivers other potential applications in terms of use in energy harvesting devices. Furthermore the desire for shape-flexible, wearable electronic devices offers another avenue for the exploitation of all solid state battery systems.
This interdisciplinary project involving researchers from chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering and industry aims therefore to develop new Solid State Li ion batteries. Such all solid state cells have been identified as one of the most important future targets in battery research, as illustrated by their inclusion as one of the fast-track projects in the Faraday challenge (industry strategy challenge objective 2). The importance of these batteries lies in their potential to deliver improved safety, reduced size, and higher capacity, as well as to open up new applications such as energy harvesting devices. In particular, the demonstration of a commercially viable scaleable ceramic-based electrolyte with higher safety will offer large benefits in terms of UK wealth generation/investment opportunities (Industry strategy challenge objective 1). In terms of potential commercialisation, the optimisation of garnet Li ion conducting electrolytes, their scale-up synthesis and demonstration in all solid state batteries offers significant potential in terms of Li ion battery technology, with applications ranging from portable consumer devices to transport. In terms of helping to ensure the delivery of impact in this area, a strong link has already been set up with industry, to provide key input into the project from an industrial viewpoint, along with industrial validation of the full cell tests on the most promising systems (industrial strategy challenge objective 3). This will allow UK industry to capitalise on the developments made during this work and offer an early route to exploitation (Industry strategy challenge objective 1).
Planned Impact
Lithium Ion batteries have revolutionised our daily life, with their development leading to the portable electronics boom. More recently they have found use in further applications in terms of hybrid and all electric vehicles. The key benefits of Li ion batteries for such applications are their high power and light weight. However, there are still a number of issues concerning these batteries, with the current electrolyte materials having significant limitations. In particular, these liquid electrolytes tend to be flammable, and unstable in contact with higher voltage electrodes. In addition, the need to contain the liquid electrolyte leads to individual batteries and battery stacks that are larger than ideal. This project is aimed at the development of a suitable solid state electrolyte to overcome such issues, and offer other avenues for further applications, such as energy harvesting devices and shape-flexible, wearable electronic devices. The development and scale up of such solid state electrolytes, and batteries utilising them, will therefore further enhance the applications of Li ion batteries: in particular in terms of transport applications, such advances in battery technology will lead to cleaner transport, thus reducing greenhouse gas emission levels, and so helping the UK to fulfil targets set by the Climate Change Act to cut its emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels by 2050. The improved safety of such solid state electrolytes will also help ensure that issues regarding flammability, such as the recent Dreamliner battery fires, become a thing of the past. Furthermore, the low leakage rates and potential for miniaturisation of such batteries will open up new avenues for these battery systems as noted above, leading to further significant commercial benefits.
Publications
Tong S
(2021)
A phase change material (PCM) based passively cooled container for integrated road-rail cold chain transportation - An experimental study
in Applied Thermal Engineering
Kildahl H
(2021)
Carbon dioxide decomposition through gas exchange in barium calcium iron niobates
in Catalysis Today
Dong B
(2019)
Combined Experimental and Computational Study of Ce-Doped La 3 Zr 2 Li 7 O 12 Garnet Solid-State Electrolyte
in Chemistry of Materials
Seymour ID
(2023)
Understanding and Engineering Interfacial Adhesion in Solid-State Batteries with Metallic Anodes.
in ChemSusChem
Stockham MP
(2021)
Evaluation of Ga0.2Li6.4Nd3Zr2O12 garnets: exploiting dopant instability to create a mixed conductive interface to reduce interfacial resistance for all solid state batteries.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Dong B
(2020)
X-ray pair distribution function analysis and electrical and electrochemical properties of cerium doped Li5La3Nb2O12 garnet solid-state electrolyte.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Stockham MP
(2020)
Evaluation of the effect of site substitution of Pr doping in the lithium garnet system Li5La3Nb2O12.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Spencer Jolly D
(2022)
Interfaces between Ceramic and Polymer Electrolytes: A Comparison of Oxide and Sulfide Solid Electrolytes for Hybrid Solid-State Batteries
in Inorganics
Anagnostopoulos A
(2021)
Simplified force field for molecular dynamics simulations of amorphous SiO2 for solar applications
in International Journal of Thermal Sciences
Description | We have shown that the Lithium in these Garnet phases can be exchanged by hydrogen ions. This leads to a reduction in lithium ion conductivity. Thus the work shows the need to limit the exposure to moisture during the synthesis of these systems. We have identified the maximum Li content these Garnet phases can accommodate, and how the Lithium is accommodated in the structure. We have identified new dopants that can be incorporated into the structure in order to enhance sintering and conductivity We have developed new methodologies for the synthesis of these garnet systems We have improved the interfacial contact between the electrolyte and anode through use of coatings We have identified dopants that increase the critical current density before Li dendrite formation We have identified a strategy to link thermal energy storage with electrical energy storage to provide a new energy storage integrated solution: this has led to a new patent in this area. A wide range of public engagement activities have been performed |
Exploitation Route | The work shows the need to consider the effect of possible reaction of these compounds with moisture The observation that lithium ordering can be influenced by cation size may help in the design of new materials with improved Li ion conduction |
Sectors | Energy |
Description | 1. The initial findings have been used to obtain further (APC) funding (£13K) with regard to the scale-up synthesis of garnet electrolytes 2. A link has been set up with a book author, who writes thrillers covering environmental issues. His latest book (Cobalt by David Middleton: ISBN: 9781838593551) relates to Li ion batteries, and Prof. Slater was a scientific advisor on this book, and featured as a character in the book discussing solid state batteries. 3. A range of activities have been run, highlighting the fundamental features of Li ion batteries to schools, including workshops aimed at low ability groups. In addition, the resources have been further developed to allow the use by students with visual impairment 4. the knowledge generated has been used for a successful patent application |
First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
Sector | Energy |
Impact Types | Societal Economic |
Description | APC Feasibility Study |
Amount | £13,073 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 56065 |
Organisation | Advanced Propulsion Centre |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2018 |
End | 03/2018 |
Title | Rapid sintering of Li6.5La3Zr1Nb0.5Ce0.25Ti0.25O12 for high density lithium garnet electrolytes with current induced in-situ interfacial resistance reduction |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | https://edata.bham.ac.uk/986/ |
Title | Water based synthesis of highly conductive GaxLi7-3xLa3Hf2O12 garnets with comparable critical current density to analogous GaxLi7-3xLa3Zr2O12 systems |
Description | |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
URL | http://edata.bham.ac.uk/576/ |
Description | Garnet electrolyte manufacture |
Organisation | University of Warwick |
Department | Warwick Manufacturing Group |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This is a joint project aiming to develop scaleable routes to the production of garnet electrolytes. We are investigating sol gel based routes |
Collaborator Contribution | Warwick manufacturing group are investigating solid state approaches |
Impact | progress has been made in scaling up synthesis |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Industrial Project partner on grant |
Organisation | Qinetiq |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Sample preparation and characterisation with be done by Birmingham and Imperial College. We will also do initial cell testing to identify the most promising systems |
Collaborator Contribution | Validation testing of the most promising systems. Attendance and input at project meetings |
Impact | Further collaboration in InnUk project on high power batteries |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | PhD student provision from University of Birmingham (student to start 1/10/18) |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | The University of Birmingham is funding a PhD student to work on the project. The student worked alongside the PDRAs at Birmingham |
Collaborator Contribution | The University of Birmingham is funding a PhD student to work on the project to start 1/10/18 |
Impact | PhD awarded to student. Papers in publications section |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | computer modelling studies on garnet ion conductors |
Organisation | Loughborough University |
Department | Department of Chemistry |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | A collaborative link on combining experimental and modelling studies garnet ionic conductors has been instigated. We are providing the experimental data and interpretation. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partners at Loughborough University are doing the computer modelling work |
Impact | A paper on combined modelling and experimental studies on F doped garnets is currently being worked on |
Start Year | 2017 |
Title | ENERGY GENERATION |
Description | A method of converting thermal energy to electrical energy, the method comprising the steps of harvesting thermal energy from a source;using the thermal energy to drive one or more chemical reactions;using one or more reaction products of the one or more chemical reactions to drive an electrochemical cell to produce electrical energy. |
IP Reference | WO2019158948 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Pending |
Description | 'Chemistry at Work' at the Black Country Museum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Chemistry at work event at the black country museum. Talk and demonstrations on energy technologies including fuel cells |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | A Whistle Stop Tour of Li-ion Batteries |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | a talk on Li ion batteries was given to the west midlands teaching centre |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | An energy pathway |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | an online talk on batteries was given to a school science club |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Batteries stand at the RSC Elements of Success event at the Royal Institution (15th Nov 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Stand explaining the operation of Li ion batteries and current research from our group |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/40079/iypt-2019-for-your-inspiration-the-elements-of-success |
Description | Battery stand at the Royal institution London School's Climate Kick-Start event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Battery stand at the Royal institution London School's Climate Kick-Start event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Battery stand at the Thinktank museum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Meet the experts stand in Thinktank museum: covering all things Li-ion batteries, from how they operate to how we recycle them. Also trialed our new demos about battery coating slurries and rheology when it comes to manufacturing. Thinktank museum wrote to us after the event on how well received the demonstrations were |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Behind the lab specs episode 5 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Behind the lab specs episode 5: Ilika |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccUNHpfhfg8&list=PL5rEn4asarXHo4BTsdTuZ1e9NbWffppNO&index=8 |
Description | CoCoMAD20 online festival: resources produced for virtual experiments highlighting batteries and their recycling |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | resources were produced for the online CoCoMad festival. In particular we developed and distributed resources to highlight the operation of Li ion batteries and how they are recycled |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Fuel Cell and Battery outreach activity for students with special educational needs |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | this was a day long event with Woodlands school which caters for pupils for special educational needs specifically social, emotional and mental health needs. Sessions on Fuel Cells and Batteries were run for a group of Year 11 (Final year GCSE) students. The event included: · Introducing our area of research (Fuel Cells and Battery materials) · Discussing development of batteries e.g comparing mobile phones batteries from the past and present · Helping students put together rudimentary batteries and fuel cells to demonstrate their principals · Getting the group to think about the possible drawbacks of both technologies. · Connecting those drawbacks discussed with current research conducted at Birmingham The events was very enjoyable and the group seemed very engaged with the topic and they seem to really enjoy the practical experiments chosen for the session. The activity was designed to underpin the basic principles the students are taught inside the classroom for their science GCSE. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | IMPACT ON CRITICAL MATERIALS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES: THE NEED TO DEVELOP EFFICIENT RECYCLING STRATEGIES |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | presentation on battery research and its applicability towards the drive for low carbon transport |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.climate-change-solutions.co.uk/past-events/making-places-last-sustainable-homes-and-commu... |
Description | Interviewed for article in National Geographic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed for article in National Geographic |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/will-charging-electric-cars-ever-be-as-fast-a... |
Description | Lecture and demonstrations for RSC Top of the bench competition (Jan 18, 2020) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Using resources developed to explain Li ion batteries and fuel cells, a lecture was given on the chemistry of energy production and storage |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Li-ion batteries: born in the 90's and we're still fussing about them - why |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | a talk on Li batteries was given as part of the UoB shape your future schools talk series |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Presenter Network session sharing our work developing accessible sensory resources to explain Li ion batteries (Jan 20, 2020) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | While there are a number of resources available to teach and inspire schoolchildren and the general public about batteries, there are very few resources that consider the needs of students with visual impairment. We have extended our Li ion battery demonstration resources to be more inclusive in this regard, and this session we contributed to a Presenter Network session on these accessible sensory resources |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | RNIB Shape and Share event (9th Nov 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We took our sensory battery jenga to explain how batteries work at a RNIB event for people with visual impairment |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Radio broadcast |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | two hour phone in session on UnityFM birmingham (20000 listeners) covering the periodic table and clean energy (fuel cells, batteries) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | School workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | schools workshop at Harborne academy |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | School workshop on batteries |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | workshop on batteries. Afterwards, school requested future visits and increased interest in batteries |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | School's lecture on energy |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | school's christmas lecture covering energy, including fuel cells and batteries |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Sensory Science Day at the Thinktank Museum (3rd Aug 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | We have produced inclusive resources to explain how Li ion batteries work, so that we can engage with people with disabilities (e.g. visual impairment). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Stand at the UoB Green Heart Festival (30th Oct 2019 and 2nd Oct 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Produced a stand explaining battery chemistry and our research on solid state batteries and recycling for the UoB Green Heart festival |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Tactile Battery Jenga online session with Bolton sensory support service |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A tactile jenga set to explain how Li ion batteries work was produced and sent to Bolton sensory support services. An online session on how to use the kit was run with students with visual impairment |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Talk on garnet electrolytes at UK-India workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Talk on batteries and outreach at UK India conference addressing batteries, recycling methods, policies and economies, critical issues on sustainability |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Talk to teachers as part of a PTI training day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Prof Slater was invited by the PTI to give a talk on fuel cells and batteries to teachers at a CPD day on electrochemistry. A range of topics were covered including solid oxide fuel cells/electrolysers, solid state batteries, cathode and anode materials, and recycling. He also highlighted educational resources developed at Birmingham in this area. A number of the teachers commented how interesting the talk was , and how they would use the resources in their teaching. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | The Colourful Energy Scene Lecture for the RSC top of the bench competition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | a talk on energy storage and conversion technologies was given to the RSC top of the bench competition participants |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | UK Energy Storage 2018 conference: Structural aspects of Li ion conducting garnets (Poster) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation on the structural characteristics of Li ion conducting garnets: highlighting the effect of Li ordering and Li/H exchange |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | UK Solid State Electrolytes for Batteries (25th Sept 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | We organised the 1st UK workshop on solid state electrolytes for batteries |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Video and Q&A on zoom for Discover Materials |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | a video was produced on battery work at Birmingham for Discover Materials. This was supported by an online Q and A session |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | battery display at the CoCoMad festival 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Display highlighting how Li ion batteries work at the CoCoMad festival in Cotteridge Park, Birmingham |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.facebook.com/CoCoMADFestival/ |
Description | battery workshop for primary school children |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Visit to Valley School to deliver two back to back sessions to 90 primary pupils (180 students in total). Following an intro, we did some short whole group activities and then each PhD ambassador took on a group of 30 students. They helped them to make and understand the potato batteries they made. The pupils enjoyed the sessions and there were lots of great questions which showed how well they understood the group intro. We related batteries back to work of the our EPSRC projects on batteries and fuel cells. We also discussed more generally with students "what a scientist" looks like - a few were shocked that two of our scientist don't wear spectacles, which goes to show how important it is for them to meet real scientists and break down some of these ideas. Teachers feedback indicated that we increased the students chemistry knowledge, linked the work to the curriculum and they are likely to organise a visit again. Their comments were "the kids loved it" and "the kids really enjoyed it". |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | chemistry workshop for primary schools (28th Nov 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | engaging primary schools with activities on batteries and other aspects of chemistry |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | talk on electrochemistry and outreach for the Princes Teaching institute |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | talk on electrochemistry and outreach for the Princes Teaching institute: favourable feedback from PTI and teachers |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | workshop on batteries and fuel cells |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | workshop for several groups of schoolchildren on batteries and fuel cells |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | workshops on batteries and fuel cells aimed at low ability school children |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We ran workshops for low-ability Yr 10 students from Balaam Wood School. This included: • Introducing Li ion batteries and fuel cells • Discussing batteries use with small groups e.g. use in everyday life • Helping students doing a practical on batteries/fuel cells • Demonstrating a simple fuel cell/battery in action • Showing students real life fuel cell/battery |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |