2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The use of electrochemical processes in industry has grown rapidly over the past decade and is predicted to continue that way. Chemistry and engineering students need access to effective electrochemical education within their programs to address this growing need for electrochemical knowledge. This paper describes a virtual laboratory designed to address a gap in the educational tools currently available for electrochemistry. The laboratory uses a software package based on a mathematical model that simulates both species decay and crossover within a redox flow battery (RFB) cell over charge-discharge cycles. The laboratory positions students as engineers working on a realistic task where they design and troubleshoot an RFB system to power buildings on campus. The problem is intended to be personally relevant for students as well as expose them to environmentally just engineering work. To design their battery system, students need to use scientific concepts to select from different electrolyte chemistries, electrodes, and membranes. Based on data and their own assumptions students will need to assess the viability of their design and make improvements accordingly. After students have created a battery design that meets the deliverables of the activity, they will need to troubleshoot one of many possible realistic problems that can occur. This activity attempts to engage students in practices typical of real engineering work, including working in teams, designing experiments, learning from failure, and managing uncertainty. Rather than doing measures after students leave the laboratory, we investigate which engineering epistemic practices they engage in while completing the laboratory. This laboratory looks to leverage and develop ideas from research on industrially-situated laboratories in the context of electrochemistry by engaging students in productive engineering practice.