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
Opening a battery’s black box
Reduction-oxidation reaction demonstration
What makes different types of batteries unique?
Building the best battery
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