Children Explore How Batteries Work

On “Open Day” at Forschungszentrum Jülich, children assembled potato and lemon batteries and learned about the world of battery research in a playful way.

25 August 2022 – On Sunday, after a Corona break, the time had finally come again – the campus of Forschungszentrum Jülich opened its doors for the "Open Day" for interested visitors. Among them were many curious children who were given an insight into everyday research.

How is electricity actually generated? How can it be stored? The young visitors explored these and many other questions about energy storage in the room of the Helmholtz Institute Münster (HI MS; IEK-12). Under the guidance of the battery researchers, they assembled potato and lemon batteries and made small LEDs glow. And exactly how much voltage does a lemon battery generate? To answer the question of the research rally, they were allowed to measure for themselves.

The adults also asked their questions and got into conversations with the scientists. With the help of physical and digitally animated models, they gained deeper insights into current research and future perspectives for energy storage. Students were able to find out about training and career opportunities.

The Open Day was held under the common motto “Shaping Change”. Digitalisation, climate change and the transformation of the energy system pose challenges for our society, which the almost 7,000 employees at the research centre are dealing with. Here you can find more information about Open Day and Shaping Change.

If you are curious now, too, here is the solution: A lemon battery generates 1.1 volts.