Polarity!™ The Battery Fabrication Laboratory


"Wirelessly wired" — this is the unsung motto of our mobile society. The need to stay connected to an increasingly portable world without the physical restraint of expensive petroleum fuels, fixed-length power cables, or cable internet is gradually transitioning to a global standard. Reusable and portable energy technologies, namely lithium-ion batteries, have already proven their worth in today's world — but what about in the classroom?




WHAT IS IT?

The Polarity!™ Fabrication Laboratory for Rechargeable Batteries (PolFabLab™ for short) is a self-contained demonstration kit designed to excite and enlighten classrooms around the world with the science of rechargeable batteries. The scope of the set includes the three major areas of battery technology: design, fabrication, and application. The kit includes all materials required to build and recharge a functioning lithium-ion rechargeable battery cell in a low-contamination environment. Additional investigation tools included in the set permit a wide range of material and property characterization to really dig deep and explore the underlying chemistry. The PolFabLab™ is safe, affordable, reusable, and environment-friendly.

The PolFabLab™ was developed by Prof. Vilas Pol and Arthur Dysart at the ViPER Laboratory, Purdue University. The idea for a portable battery demonstration kit was inspired by Prof. Pol's hope to share his research, knowledge, and passion for energy storage technologies with the world.





The contents of the PolFabLab™ include:

WHAT'S INSIDE?
For Design & Fabrication
  • Anode electrodes
  • Cathode electrodes
  • Separators
  • Battery pouch casings
  • Electrolyte vial
  • Insulated battery sealing tape
  • Vacuum chamber with electrolyte channel
  • Chamber cover & hand-operated pump
 For Application & Investigation
  • Hand-held microscope
  • Mini-battery charger
  • Battery testing devices
  • Digital Multimeter
For Utility & Safety
  • Activity guide & instruction manual
  • Disposable tweezers, syringes, & needle tips
  • Replacement septa for electrolyte channel
  • Disposable vinyl safety gloves
The materials listed above have been designed and tested for safe demonstration purposes. Ten sets of individually-packaged anode, cathode, and separator pieces are included with each PolFabLab kit, with additional pieces reflecting similar or revolutionary materials are available on request. The activity guide outlines demonstration policies and suggested investigation activities. Batteries made for demonstration and all leftover materials are designed to be properly disposed with daily waste as needed with minimal environmental impact.



HOW DOES IT WORK?

The PolFabLab™ contains all materials and tools necessary to create a working rechargeable battery. The electrodes (anode & cathode) provide a voltage that drives an electric current. The separator provides a separation between electrodes to permit good electrochemistry. And finally, the electrolyte is a medium that permits the transfer of lithium ions between electrodes. In an air-free environment, these materials are carefully loaded into an insulated battery casing and create a lithium-ion battery! The key to good performance is the compatibility of the materials that comprise these crucial electrochemical components. Therefore, the materials included in this kit have been carefully selected to produce a strong demonstration of electrochemical performance. This process is modeled after and closely resembles today's industrial practices.

Additional tools included in the PolFabLab™ allow educators to add that extra Wow! factor to their demo by diving deeper into the chemistry. The hand-held high-magnification microscope allows audiences to visualize the micro and nano-size materials that comprise the anode and cathode, and investigate how particle shape and size contribute to the creation of electrochemistry. The USB connection allows the microscope to be easily connected to a PC screen or laptop. A digital multimeter allows the voltage of the battery to be measured. And finally, selected battery-powered devices demonstrate that the created batteries are truly functional and illustrate the significance of voltage, current, and power specifications.





This invention is intended to enhance science education, especially energy storage engineering. Due to the sophisticated nature of battery science, exposure to energy storage-related careers happens, if at all, only during the university level. Then, this critical inspiration occurs after students' vocational interests are decided. On a deeper level, this idea is intended to enhance and broaden the quality of science education by making this otherwise expensive and complex science more approachable and cost-friendly to all students and curious minds.

With the rising popularity and buzz surrounding electric/hybrid vehicles and lighter, longer lasting portable devices, it is our hope that the widespread use of this tool in classrooms and lecture halls across the world will help garner public awareness and accelerate the progress of energy storage research.

WHY USE IT?



HOW DO I GET ONE?

We are working tirelessly to bring the PolFabLab™ into classrooms around the world!

Email us at viper(at)purdue(.)edu to inquire more about how to bring the PolFabLab™ to your area.

Return to Research