Let me show you my battery world: Children's character design and illustrations to explain lithium ion batteries and their alternatives

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the current landscape of energy storage for portable electronics and electric vehicles. They are the most desirable candidates for these because of their combination of high energy and power density. However, there are several factors that lead to battery decay. Replacing Lithium-ion batteries with the more abundant Sodium (Na) or Potassium (K) minerals can reduce the cost of production for the batteries and provides a better alternative for stationary applications. Sodium and Potassium batteries are heavier and larger than Lithium-ion batteries which limit them from being used for more portable means. Therefore, depending on the use and situation, some ions function better for the product they will be used in. Our goal with Oklahoma State University's Advanced Materials and Electrochemistry for Energy Laboratory, led by Dr. Omer Ozgur Capraz, is to inform the general public about the different battery options, starting with children. We have created a set of characters and built a world which visually represents the battery and how it functions. Through our characters Lili (Li), Nana (Na), and Kiki (K), we have created assets and illustrations to be used in children's books to explain the batteries. We portray the batteries ions and how they operate to power the batteries, as well as how the decay of the batteries works. The assets that were created will be used for future illustrations and publications. This project has been awarded the National Science Foundation Career Grant.