The Saientific Podcast

In this episode, I will explain the real definitions of electrode potential. You read it correctly: definitions, plural. There are two definitions for electrode potential, plus a third one that most of the scientists use, but that, in theory, is not correct.

To understand the concept of electrode potential, first I need to explain other, fundamental concepts.

In this episode, you will learn:

- what is a potential

- the difference between potential and potential energy

- what is the electric potential is

- What are the Surface, Volta, and Galvani Potentials

- Textbook definition of electrode potential

- IUPAC definition of electrode potential

In this podcast, I break down how electrochemical cells actually work, from the simplest piece of metal in water all the way to a fully rechargeable Daniell cell, without the intimidating textbook definitions.

We start with what electrochemistry really is (turning chemistry into electricity and back), build up the two ingredients every electrochemical system needs, and discover step by step why you need different electron energy levels, an ionic conductor, and a salt bridge to keep the reaction going. Then we tackle the single most confusing topic in electrochemistry: anode vs cathode, and why chemists and engineers define them in opposite ways.

By the end you'll understand:

• What an electrochemical system is (and why that's half of electrochemistry)
• Why electron flow and conventional current point in opposite directions
• How a galvanic cell generates energy spontaneously
• What turns a galvanic cell into an electrolytic one when you recharge
• The chemical view vs the engineering (IUPAC) view of anode and cathode, and simple tricks to never mix them up

Next video: potential, cell potential, voltage, the standard hydrogen electrode, and standard electrode potentials, explained the same intuitive way.

If this made electrochemistry click, subscribe so you don't miss the next one. 

Modeling and simulation can feel like a black box, so in this episode I sat down with Dr. Heather Baroody, an industry-leading electrochemical systems modeler, to open it up.

​Heather did her PhD on atomistic-level platinum catalyst degradation, spent years modeling fuel cells, and recently moved into batteries. We talk about what modeling actually is, whether it's useful for industry, and why it's often harder than it looks.

​Along the way, we cover platinum degradation and the SEI layer, physics-based vs. empirical models, the jump from cell to pack, battery chemistries (NMC vs. LFP), thermal runaway, equivalent circuit models, and where AI and data really help, and where they don't.

​If you've ever felt that modeling was too complicated or out of reach, this one's for you.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-baroody-phd-b8759216/

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Batteries fail rarely. But when they do, the failure is fast, self-sustaining, and almost impossible to stop once it starts. In this episode I sit down with [Neza Lastname] to unpack thermal runaway: what it actually is, why it happens, and why the thing everyone worries about isn't usually the thing that kills you.We cover cathode and anode chemistries, the real role of the BMS, how safety changes from a phone to an EV to a grid-scale BESS, whether solid-state batteries deserve their reputation, and what the industry keeps getting wrong.About NezaBSc and MSc in Chemistry, University of Ljubljana. Ongoing MBA. Now a Principal Battery Safety & Thermal Risk Consultant.Neza's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neza-lupsina/Neza's website:https://pyralis-advisory.comMy LinkedIn profile:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-sfiligoi/My Blog:https://saiensacademy.com/blog/