ASIAN INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER STUDIES

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

Course Modules
NPS111 – Chemistry for Engineers
NPS 111 CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS MODULAR/1st SEMESTER/PRELIMINARY/WEEK3

Learning Objectives: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to;

 Define and describe electrochemical energy

 Define oxidation and reduction reaction

ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY

Electrochemical energy
 Defined as “the energy which converts electrical energy to chemical energy and
vice versa.”
 It is related to fuel cells, photo electrochemical, and energy storage systems such as
batteries, super capacitors or ultra-capacitors.This includes reactions transferring
electrons, redox reactions (reduction- oxidation).

Reduction- Oxidation Reaction

 Reduction, when a substance receives one electron.

 Oxidation, when a substance gives away one electron.

There always has to be a balance of substances that give away and substance that receives
electrons since electrons cannot exist on their own without any bindings. This means that if a
reduction is taking place also an oxidation has to take place.

Example: “Redox” process

Reduction:Cu2+ + 2e- → Cu (Copper)
Oxidation: (Zink) Zn → Zn2+ + 2e-

Oxidation reduction reaction, also referred to as redox reaction, is the basis of any technology
that involves the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy and vice versa, Redox is
also the basic reaction involved in the two most important life-sustaining processes-respiration
and photosynthesis. In the living cell, oxidation of glucose provides the body with the much-
needed energy. Other important natural processes such as decay and burning of fuel are
also redox reactions.

Definition of Redox
Oxidation and reduction reactions always occur simultaneously. This means that if one
substance is oxidized, another substance must be reduced.

Antoine Lavoisier introduced the term “oxidation” and discovered oxygen and proposed
the theory of combustion. Combination between any substance and oxygen has since been
described as an oxidation process.

1ST Year 1ST Semester Page 1 of 4

 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER STUDIES
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Course Modules
NPS111 – Chemistry for Engineers

Redox is viewed as a reaction involving the transfer of electrons from the atom that is oxidized
to the atom that is reduced. An example that clearly shows that the electron transfer takes place
is the reaction where Zn gives up 2e- and becomes Zn2and in turn, Cu+2 is converted to Cuo
upon gaining 2e-.The reaction is represented by the following equation:

Electrochemical cells
There are basically to types of cells used for electrochemical conversion.
 Galvanic cell that converts chemical energy into electrical energy, by a spontaneous
reaction.
 Electrolytic cell that converts electrical energy into chemical energy.Electrical energy
is used to fuel the reaction.

Electrolysis

 A process whereby electrical energy is converted directly into chemical energy i.e., an
electrolytic process. By virtue of their combined chemical energy, the products of an
electrolytic process often react spontaneously with one another, reproducing the
substances that were reactants and were therefore consumed during the electrolysis.
Photo electrochemical

 A process of artificial photo synthesis or electrolysis which converts chemical energy into
electrical energy.
Electrochemical energy storage
 A method used to store electricity in a chemical form. This storage technique benefits
from the fact that both electrical and chemical energy share the same carrier, the
electron. This common point allows limiting the losses due to the conversion from one
form to another.

Common forms for electrochemical storage and conversion

1. Fuel cell
 Device which converts chemical energy obtained from fuel to electrical energy. In fuel
cells, the energy conversion takes place by the chemical reaction. Based on the
electrolyte used in fuel cells these are classified as proton exchange membrane fuel cell
(PEMFC) and solid oxide fuel cell. The efficiency of fuel cell is around 40–60%.

1ST Year 1ST Semester Page 2 of 4

 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER STUDIES
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Course Modules
NPS111 – Chemistry for Engineers

2. Battery
 A device which converts chemical energy into electrical energy by the chemical
reactions in the device.
 It plays a vital role for auto mobiles and electronic devices such as mobile phones,
watches, and remote devices.
Two types of batteries:
1. Primary cells (Dry cell)
2. Secondary cells (Lithium cell )

Batteries and accumulators

Lead-acid accumulator
 Used for many purposes in particular in road vehicles such as automobiles, trucks,
buses etc.

Dry cell battery

 Numerous applications among others for home appliances such as flash lights and
small electronics.

Lithium cell battery

 Used in various appliances such as cameras, wristwatches, power tools and different
types of other electronics. More recently also used as energy supply/storage for
electrical automobiles.
 They come in both non-rechargeable and chargeable versions.

3. Capacitors (condenser)
 An electrical component used to store energy electrostatically.
 All capacitors contain two or more conductor plates separated by an insulator that can
store the energy (a dielectric material).
 A capacitor stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field between the plates.
 The prime use for capacitors is in electronic circuits for blocking direct current while
allowing alternating current to pass or in electric power transmission systems, where
they will stabilize the voltage and the power flow.
Super capacitor
 A device which stores energy more than batteries (10 to 100 times more than batteries).
The charge movement is also very fast in this device

1ST Year 1ST Semester Page 3 of 4

 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER STUDIES
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Course Modules
NPS111 – Chemistry for Engineers
 It is use in automobiles, buses, trains, cranes and elevators, where they are used for
regenerative braking, short-term energy storage, or burst-mode power delivery.

1ST Year 1ST Semester Page 4 of 4