Reinvigorating electrochemistry education

Abstract

Electrochemistry is an established discipline with modern frontiers spanning energy conversion and storage, neuroscience, and organic synthesis. In spite of the expanding opportunities for academic and industrial electrochemists, particularly in the growing energy-storage sector, rigorous training of electrochemists is generally lacking at academic institutions in the United States. In this perspective, we highlight the core concepts of electrochemistry and discuss ways in which it has been historically taught. We identify challenges faced when teaching inherently interdisciplinary electrochemical concepts and discuss how technology provides new tools for teaching, such as inexpensive electronics and open-source software, to help address these challenges. Finally, we outline example programs and discuss how new tools and approaches can be brought together to prepare scientists and engineers for careers in electrochemical technology where they can accelerate the research, development, and deployment of the clean energy technology essential to combat climate change in the coming decades.

Improving education in electrochemistry via a modeling approach and focusing on green chemistry applications

“…In this new laboratory course, students may for instance learn how new generation nanostructured electrodes are ideally suited for employment in new continuous-flow electroreactors making electrosynthesis highly efficient and truly "green". 36,37 New tools to enhance education span from today's inexpensive electronics and open-source software, 3 through magnetic resonance imaging for probing electrochemical processes in a model electrochemical cell. 38 From a conceptual viewpoint, however, better undergraduate education in electrochemistry requires educators to improve their ability "to support and guide students in developing a metavisual competence for visualizing" 15 electrochemical phenomena.…”

“…Kempler and co-workers recently reported that "rigorous training of electrochemists is generally lacking at academic institutions in the United States". 3 The team thereby suggested avenues to reinvigorate electrochemistry education based on today's inexpensive electronics and open-source software providing new tools for teaching electrochemistry interdisciplinary concepts. 3 Similar findings were reported in 2019 by Tsaparlis in Greece noting that electrochemistry was a "hard subject for students" 4 due to complexity and plurality of its concepts.…”

“…3 The team thereby suggested avenues to reinvigorate electrochemistry education based on today's inexpensive electronics and open-source software providing new tools for teaching electrochemistry interdisciplinary concepts. 3 Similar findings were reported in 2019 by Tsaparlis in Greece noting that electrochemistry was a "hard subject for students" 4 due to complexity and plurality of its concepts. 4 Tsaparlis' study opens with a quotation of Japan's electrochemistry scholar Akiro Yoshino (awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in the same year for the development of lithium-ion batteries): 6 "battery technologies are electrochemistry, a complex and difficult interdisciplinary field".…”

“…Suddenly, recognizing the poor state of electrochemistry education in many countries, electrochemistry and chemistry education scholars started to publish a number of intervention studies on electrochemistry education. 3,4,9,10,12,12,13 In brief, evidence from numerous countries suggests that novel and better approaches to teaching and learning electrochemistry are required.…”

Hands-on Inquiry-Based Qualitative Identification of Metals in Coins Utilizing Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry

“…15,16 Additionally, given the disruptions to learning encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, many students have indicated that they have had little opportunity to study and explore electrochemical methods pre-university; developing opportunities to explore these in a practical setting would be of significant benefit to their understanding of this conceptually troublesome topic. 17 By carrying out an electrochemical synthesis practically, the ideas introduced at school can be expanded upon. This allows discussion and clarification of key concepts such as anode and cathode redox behavior and the importance of the electrolyte, further cementing students' understanding of this area of chemistry.…”