Battery Essentials is a video-based learning program that introduces you to the complex and often confusing world of battery science through easy-to-understand lessons.
You’ll learn how batteries really work and what matters most in their development. Battery Essentials helps you build professional expertise in battery technology—so you can actively contribute to the energy transition and help shape a sustainable future.
The program was created by battery developer, founder, and YouTuber Tom Bötticher.
Course plan
🗣️ Terminology
Terms & definitions
Basic chemistry knowledge
⚡️ Theory: Fundamentals of battery chemistry
Structure of a battery cell
Anode and cathode - what’s what?
How does a battery cell work on a fundamental level?
Cell voltage and chemical potential
Determination of SoC and SoE
⚒️ How a good battery is build
Selection of active materials
State-of-the-art negative electrode materials
State-of-the-art positive electrode materials
Cell construction I - electrode manufacturing
Cell construction II - balancing, loading, and N/P ratio
Cell construction III - stacking and battery cell assembly
Cell construction IV - battery cell formats
⚠️ Lifetime and safety
Aging mechanisms in negative electrodes
Aging mechanisms in positive electrodes
Self-discharge
The role of the electrolyte
Calendar ageing and cycle ageing
Thermal runaway
Techniques for increasing lifespan and safety
State-of-Health
Ageing mechanisms in small vs. large cells
Internal cell resistances
🔌 Battery testing (advanced)
How are battery cells tested?
Battery Cell configuration
Read & interpret battery diagrams
🔮 Post-lithium batteries
What are post-lithium batteries?
Sodium-ion batteries
Solid-state Batteries
🔋 From the cell to the battery system
Cell → module → system
Basics of battery electrical engineering
Battery design
Battery-Management-System (BMS)
Cell-balancing
♻️ Recycling
Introduction recycling
Pyrometallurgy
Hydrometallurgy
Direct recycling
🔍 Do your research correctly
Good databases and resources
Tom's secret reading list
🧠 Final exam with certificate
👋 Outro
Closing words and thanks
Change log and contributors
