Assignment 3

Problem Formulation

1. Generate problem statements that focus on the function to be achieved by any viable design solution

We want to increase the battery life, decrease the charging time duration, and lower costs of EV batteries by using a Sodium-ion battery in lieu of traditional Lithium-ion batteries. For these objectives to be feasible, the Sodium-ion battery must undergo a weight reduction, an increase in stability, and a reduction in their pricing.

3. Perform Kepner-Tregoe (KT) situation analysis to evaluate various aspects of a situation in terms of three criteria (timing, trend, and impact), thereby determining what is known, which tasks should be performed, and in what order these tasks should be completed

Situation Analysis: We know the Sodium-ion batteries are longer-lasting, having increased battery life, decreased charging time durations, and compositions consisting of more abundant resources. We further know that for these batteries at present need a reduction in their density/weight, an increase in their stability, and a decrease in their pricing.

• Timing:

  • High

    • Sodium-ion battery performance similar to lithium-ion batteries

  • Moderate 

    • Reduce Cost

  • Low 

    • Weight reduction of Sodium-ion batteries

• Trend:

  • High 

    • Sodium-ion battery performance similar to lithium-ion batteries

  • Moderate 

    • Weight reduction of Sodium-ion batteries

  • Low

    • Reduce Cost

• Impact:

  • High

    • Weight reduction of the sodium-ion batteries

  • Moderate

    • Reduce Cost

  • Low 

    • Similar performance to lithium-ion batteries

4. Perform KT problem analysis to determine possible causes of a problem

Problem Analysis: identity, location, timing, and magnitude, determine the cause of the problem or subproblem

• What

  • Lithium batteries are the current most used batteries for electric cars. It is expensive, low in abundance and has slow charging times with low battery capacity.

  • Find an alternative batter that is in higher abundance and can perform better than lithium.

• When

  • The problem of EV batteries is most prevalent today and even more so in the near future, as electric vehicles become increasingly popular.

  • The solution must be implemented during the production phase of EV's and should be implemented as soon as possible in order to help improve efficiency of EV batteries and reduce charging time durations, whilst keeping costs to users at a minimum.

• Who

  • Sources of information include individuals working in EV battery research, as well as those working in EV production, and in regulation of EV batteries. 

• Where

  • This problem is occurring in the United States. 

• Why

  • Electric cars are becoming more and more popular as time goes on and this trend will continue so eventually a more abundant source for batteries needs to be implemented.

• How

  • The problem of EVs having slow charging rates is related to the problem of EV popularity as a whole. This problem is also related to finding alternatives for lithium batteries, as it is those alternatives that need to be developed.