Assignment 2

Needs Assignment

1. Identify needs that justify an electrical and computer engineering problem-solving effort

Electric vehicles face limitations due to long charging times.

2. Develop a design proposal that justifies the need to develop a technical solution to a problem

• Objective (why?)

The purpose of our project is to redesign the batteries of electric cars. For our mission, we focus on finding a replacement of Lithium-ion batteries and find a solution that lasts longer and has a quicker charging time. To do this, we need to find substitutes of parts or the whole battery, so we can find a far more superior solution. The solution that we decided to choose is a Sodium-ion battery. With a Sodium-ion battery, it is something that has a quicker charging time than the Lithium-ion battery. One of the main cons of Sodium-ion batteries is the weight, which leads to low energy density. 

• Background (who? where?)

This project will be constructed in Stevens Institute of technology. The main members of this project are the students at Stevens and will be surrounded by help from the faculty members. This new solution will help every electric car company since it is a solution to a longer lasting battery and a quicker charging time, which is something that all electric car companies are looking for. 

• Methodology (how? when?)

To proceed with this project we will need to collect data on the charging times and battery life-times of the two different types of batteries, Sodium-ion versus Lithium-ion.  Both a sodium and lithium battery will be purchased and tested in a lab. First to be tested is the rates at which the batteries can be charge to see which is faster. Second the batteries life will be drained to see which battery can output the most power.

• Expected results (what?)

The expected results for this experiment will be that the sodium-ion battery will outperform the lithium-ion battery  in both catagories of charging speed and battery life. Sodium batteries will replace lithium.

• Costs (how much will it cost?)

The price for a lithium battery for an electric car is around $1000-$3000 while the sodium-ion battery would be much cheaper at around $800-$1000.