Entry requirements

120 credits in science/engineering. Participation in Rechargeable batteries. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• outline typical battery failure modes with respect to battery cell chemistry and battery pack design and how these impact performance and safety,
• outline design and manufacturing features included in modern batteries to enhance safety,
• describe the design and construction of current and future battery management systems aimed at overseeing and maintaining battery temperature, performance and safety,
• describe safety test protocols of batteries and their relevance when batteries are brought to the market,
• describe online battery diagnostic technologies and their implications,
• use contemporary scientific literature to present and critically evaluate the research front in battery sensoring, safety and control,
• produce scientific text about battery sensoring, safety and control.

Content

Battery design and manufacture features included to withstand normal or reasonable, foreseeable conditions of use and damage. Battery assembly and sealing to withstand environmental conditions for different applications. Battery failure modes with implications to safety and handling. Battery management systems preventing batteries from working outside of their normal and safe operating modes. Online battery diagnostics to monitor performance, state of charge and state of health. Development of materials and cell constructions for enhanced safety. Current and future battery safety test protocols required before batteries enter the market, such as external short circuit, abnormal charge and forced discharge as well as exposure to heat, projectiles, drops, crush, shock or vibration. Standards and regulations for battery safety and testing. Scientific literature and peer review.

Instruction

Lectures, lab exercises.

Assessment

Written exam at the end of the course (3 credits). In order to pass the course, pass grades must also be received for the labs (2 credits). 

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.