Week 8: Lithium batteries

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 4

 Lithium batteries

Lesson goals

• You will learn about the functions of lithium batteries
• You will learn about the different types of batteries used in the aviation industry
• Rehearse how to write an article or essay 

Types of Articles 

• News: This type of article presents facts about something that happened recently or will happen soon. It usually covers the 5 Ws and H: who, what, where, when, why and how.

• Feature: This type of article presents information in a more creative, descriptive way than a straight news article. It can be an article about a person, a phenomenon, a place, or other subjects.
  

• Editorial: This article presents a writer’s opinions on a topic or debate. It is intended to persuade the reader to think a certain way about a topic.
  

• How-to: This article gives clear instructions and information about how to accomplish some task.
  

• Profile: This article presents information about a person, using information that the writer typically gathers through interviews and background research.

Layout - outline

Brainstorm your topic

Brainstorm your topic. Make a list of potential topics. You might want to write about immigration or organic food or your local animal shelter. To write a coherent yet concise article, you need to narrow the topic.

[1] This will give you something more specific to write about, which will make for a more forceful article. Ask yourself these questions:

[2]What interests you about this topic?

What is a point that people usually overlook? (min 2 to max 3).

What do you want people to know about this topic?

For example, if you want to write about organic farming, you might say to yourself, “I think it’s important to know what organic labeling means on food packages. It can be confusing to know what it all means.”

How many types of batteries do we use in aviation/drone industry?

Weather forecast answers

1. What are some of the global gadgets mentioned in the video that collect data for weather forecasting?

   - Radar systems, weather balloons, ocean monitoring buoys, and various other instruments.

2. How do weather satellites contribute to the understanding of atmospheric changes?

   - Weather satellites in orbit provide a comprehensive view of atmospheric changes before they reach Earth by observing temperature, humidity, and winds.

3. Describe the role of numerical weather prediction in the weather forecasting process.

   - Numerical weather prediction is the process where data, including satellite observations, is fed into powerful supercomputers. These computers analyze millions of bits of data about current weather, oceans, and the atmosphere to forecast future weather conditions.

4. List at least three sectors or groups of people mentioned in the video that rely on accurate weather forecasts.

   - Governments, pilots, farmers, fishermen, sailors, shop owners, tourists, building workers, and power stations.

Weather forecast answers

5. Explain the significance of satellites positioned 36,000 kilometers above Earth, like meteor sat, in weather monitoring.

   - Satellites positioned 36,000 kilometers above Earth, like meteor sat, are essential for detecting rapidly changing weather, such as storms. They provide a 24-hour watch over specific regions, aiding meteorologists in predicting short-term weather developments.

6. What types of data do weather satellites in orbit observe, according to the information in the video?

   - Weather satellites in orbit observe temperature, humidity, and winds.

7. Why is it emphasized in the video that accurate weather forecasts enable individuals and entities to plan for various activities?

   - Accurate weather forecasts are crucial for planning and decision-making in various sectors, ensuring the smooth operation of activities like keeping traffic moving, planes on schedule and safe paths, and facilitating daily routines with minimal disruptions.

Weather forecast answers

1. C. cloudy

2. B. freezing

3. A. blizzard

4. B. clear

5. C. Fahrenheit

6. B. smog

7. A. drizzling

8. C. humid

9. B. lightning

10. A. a thermometer

Dry Cell Battery

What are Dry Cell Batteries?

Dry cell batteries are a type of electrochemical cell that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Unlike wet cells, which contain liquid electrolytes, dry cells use a paste or gel form of electrolyte. They are called "dry" because they don't contain free-flowing liquid.

Lead Acid Battery

What is a Lead-Acid Battery?

A lead-acid battery is a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in cars, motorcycles, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and other applications where a reliable and rechargeable energy source is needed.

Lithium-ion Battery

What is a Lithium-Ion Battery?

A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is a type of rechargeable battery that you can find in many everyday devices like smartphones, laptops, cameras, and even electric vehicles. It's popular because it's lightweight, holds a lot of energy, and can be recharged multiple times.

Types of batteries

Aircraft and drone batteries are used for many functions, such as ground power, emergency power, and fault clearing. Most small private aircraft use lead-acid batteries, most commercial and corporate aircraft use nickel-cadmium batteries, and (most) drones or UAVs use Lithium-ion batteries. However, other lead-acid types of batteries are becoming available, such as valve-regulated lead-acid batteries.

1. What are the main active materials used in a lead acid battery?

1. Lead, zinc, and sulfuric acid
2. Lead peroxide, sponge lead, and dilute sulfuric acid
3. Copper, lead sulfate, and water
4. Nickel, lead dioxide, and sulfuric acid

2. What happens during the discharging process?

1. Lead sulfate is converted into lead peroxide
2. Sulfate ions move towards the positive plate and form lead sulfate
3. The battery stores energy for future use
4. Water is converted into hydrogen and oxygen

3. Why does an electric current flow during the discharge process?

1. The battery is connected to an external power source
2. Electrons move from the negative plate to the positive plate
3. Sulfate ions dissolve completely in the acid
4. Lead peroxide releases oxygen gas

4. What is the role of an external DC source during charging?

1. It converts sulfuric acid into pure water
2. It forces the reverse chemical reaction to restore the original materials
3. It breaks down the lead plates into smaller pieces
4. It removes excess electrons from the battery

5. Which of the following best describes the overall function of a lead acid battery?

1. It produces electricity using heat energy
2. It stores and releases electrical energy through a reversible chemical reaction
3. It continuously generates electricity without any chemical change
4. It works only when connected to an external power source

1. What is the function of the separator in a lithium-ion battery?

1. It generates electrical energy
2. It allows lithium ions to move between the anode and cathode
3. It stores the electrical charge
4. It converts lithium into graphite

2. What happens when a lithium-ion battery is fully charged?

1. Lithium ions move from the anode to the cathode
2. Electrons stop flowing in the battery
3. Lithium ions migrate to the anode and react with graphite
4. The battery starts producing hydrogen and oxygen

3. Why do lead-acid batteries require venting?

1. To release excess electricity
2. To prevent overheating
3. To avoid the buildup of toxic lead fumes
4. To release hydrogen and oxygen gases formed during electrolysis

4. Which of the following is NOT a key advantage of lithium-ion batteries over lead-acid batteries?

1. They are lighter
2. They last longer
3. They require venting
4. They do not experience sulfation

5. What is one of the main reasons lithium-ion batteries are considered safer than lead-acid batteries?

1. They contain lead and sulfuric acid
2. They use an organic electrolyte and are fully sealed
3. They produce more power at higher temperatures
4. They are more resistant to overheating

Exercise 1 - Listening

Watch the movies to find out what went wrong with the Lithium-ion  battery.

Answer the questions of exercise 1.

Exercise 1 - Listening

1. What kind of problems did the Japanese pilots face at the beginning of the report?

 They could smell burning / received a cockpit warning of battery problems

2. What did they find during the inspection of the Japanese aircraft?

A flammable liquid had leaked from the main lithium ion battery located just below the cockpit

3. Why are Lithium ion batteries particularly dangerous?

Their reaction when they go out of control is extremely strong and powerful. Fires take a long time to put out in a plane.

Exercise 1 - Listening

4. Which two issues are caused by corrosive fluids being released?

They are corrosive / they carry a charge which shorts out other systems.

5. Why were the Lithium Ion designs initially chosen?

Because they can take a large charge of energy

Exercise 2 - Reading articles

Read the articles: 

• Lithium-ion Battery Safety concerns
• Boeing Dreamliner Grounded Worldwide

To gain insight abour lithium-ion batteries and answer the questions correctly!

Exercise 3 - Technical problem

The Boeing Dreamliner had technical problems before.

• Divide in groups
  
• Go to exercise 3

The goal: Talk about the problems and possible solutions

What did your group came up with?