Seeking next-gen batteries
Based on the Science News article "Charging the future," these questions focus on battery design, how lithium-ion batteries compare with newer types and the nature of experimental design.
Educator Guide: Charging the Future
POWERING THE FUTURE New chemistries and designs promise to take batteries into the 21st century to store energy from solar and wind farms and send energy to homes and businesses.
VANATCHANAN/SHUTTERSTOCK
About this guide
The article “Charging the future” describes the current scientific and technological pursuit for better batteries. Researchers are trying to develop long-lasting batteries that would have advantages over existing types of batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries that are currently used in most rechargeable electronic devices. This guide covers the science of batteries and ongoing battery research. Students can conduct their own experiments making batteries and measuring their performance.
This Guide Includes:
Beyond today’s batteries
Students will search the Science News archive for stories related to battery research.
Opening a battery’s black box
These discussion prompts ask students to think about ways that different elements create varied results in battery design, and related redox reactions.
Reduction-oxidation reaction demonstration
This teacher-led demonstration is a straightforward introduction to reduction-oxidation reactions.
What makes different types of batteries unique?
Students will research specific battery types and report on what they find.
Building the best battery
In this activity, students will build, test and optimize their own batteries using various metal electrodes and liquid electrolytes.