Virtual Learning Environment for Battery Technology (e-Battery Lab)

Efficient storage of electrical energy, especially through rechargeable batteries, is a key part of the green transition. Global demand for batteries is expected to increase fivefold by 2030 from the 2024 level. Finland has a competitive advantage due to its rich ore reserves and emission-free electricity production. Strong investments are being made in the production of battery materials and cells nationwide, which increases the need for technology and material expertise in several different industrial sectors.

The project will develop a virtual teaching environment around the battery research laboratory completed at UEF in February 2026. In the laboratory, it is possible to build button and bag cells based on different battery chemistries and perform thorough electrochemical tests on them. In the virtual environment, students become familiar with the operating principles of batteries and different battery chemistries. Through animations, they familiarize themself with the different stages of battery manufacturing and perform electrochemical testing of battery cells and data interpretation in a virtual environment.

The trainings are in English, but videos and other learning materials will also be translated into Finnish. They are primarily aimed at adult learners who can utilise basic knowledge and competence related to batteries in their work at different stages of the battery value chain. One of the concrete objectives of these studies is to provide students with the skills to evaluate different battery materials and battery technology solutions based on typical electrochemical results and to relate them to the prevailing solutions.

The project will produce the following online courses for elective studies in applied physics and environmental science offered by the Open University:

• An introduction to battery technology (1 op): The basic principles of rechargeable batteries, the material choices in li-ion batteries, the future of battery technologies
• How batteries are made (1 op): The process of making battery cells, explained through laboratory equipment animations
• The electrochemical testing of batteries (3 op): Common electrochemical tests of batteries, and the interpretation of data in a virtual environment