Two of our year 10 classes were visited by local battery scientist Dr Driscoll from the University of Birmingham this week. She talked to us about her work developing new lithium batteries such as the ones we use in our phones and electric vehicles. We then “acted out” being electrons and made our own batteries using lemons. Students figured out how to write up their own lemon battery and generate a potential difference, they then joined them together to increase the voltage in their circuit.
Dr Driscoll showed us what batteries were made of and what they look like after they are shredded. Students then had the opportunity to ask her questions and we were able to learn how she used X-rays to study the structure of battery materials.
Many thanks to Dr Driscoll for her visit.
