Prismatic, pouch and cylindrical cell course
Online course of 300 hours in prismatic, pouch and cylindrical cells. 6 modules covering cell formats and construction, electrical and thermal behaviour, module and pack integration, safety and propagation, and manufacturing, cost and format selection, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the construction of cylindrical, prismatic and pouch cells.
Compare the electrical and thermal behaviour of each format.
Design integration solutions for modules and packs.
Analyse the differences in safety and propagation between formats.
Assess the cost, manufacturing and supply of each format.
Apply decision matrices to select the cell format.
Justify the choice of format in a real project.
Who it's for
- Battery pack design engineers.
- Cell integration engineers.
- Technical cell procurement engineers.
- Battery safety engineers.
- Module assembly process engineers.
- Battery application engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter battery manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- IEC 62660-1 (performance testing of lithium-ion cells for vehicles)
- IEC 62660-3 (safety requirements for cells)
- ISO/PAS 16898 (dimensions of lithium-ion cells for vehicles)
- UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3 (transport testing of lithium batteries)
- IEC 61960-3 (prismatic and cylindrical secondary lithium cells and batteries)
- UNECE Regulation No. 100 (electrical safety of the powertrain)
- SAE J2464 (abuse testing of rechargeable energy storage systems)
- ISO 6469-1 (rechargeable energy storage system)
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- Ansys Fluent
- GT-AutoLion
- SolidWorks
- BatPaC (Argonne National Laboratory)
6 modules
1.1Cylindrical 18650, 21700 and 4680 cells1.2Rigid-case prismatic cells1.3Laminated-foil pouch cells1.4Wound versus stacked electrodes1.5Tabless design and current collectors1.6Case, lid and terminals1.7Venting devices by format1.8Standardisation of cell dimensions1.9Gravimetric and volumetric density by format1.10Practical exercise: documented teardown of a 21700 cell
2.1Current paths and internal resistance2.2Thermal gradients inside the cell2.3Coolable surface area per unit volume2.4Swelling of pouch cells2.5Clamping pressure and expansion in service2.6Response of each format to fast charging2.7Parameter spread between cells2.8Electrothermal modelling according to geometry2.9Calorimetry of cells of different formats2.10Lab: thermography of cells discharging at 2C
3.1Cylindrical modules: cell holders and welding of connections3.2Prismatic modules: end plates and straps3.3Pouch modules: frames and compression elements3.4Laser, ultrasonic and wire bonding3.5Cell-to-pack and cell-to-chassis3.6BYD's Blade Battery3.7Structural pack with 4680 cells3.8Pack repairability and disassembly3.9Mass and volume fraction occupied by cells3.10Case study: comparison of packs from three manufacturers
4.1Thermal runaway in cylindrical cells4.2Directed venting in prismatic cells4.3Enclosure rupture in pouch cells4.4Thermal barriers between cells4.5Cell-to-cell propagation4.6Nail penetration test4.7Crushing and mechanical deformation4.8Gas emission and deflagration risk4.9Design of venting channels in the pack4.10Practical exercise: analysis of a propagation test
5.1Manufacturing processes specific to each format5.2Automation and line speed5.3Cost per kWh by format5.4Main suppliers by format5.5Selection criteria by application5.6Formats in cars, motorcycles and stationary storage5.7The trend towards large cells and prismatic LFP5.8Recyclability of each format5.9Multi-criteria decision matrix5.10Workshop: cell format selection matrix
6.1Electrical and mechanical requirements of the application6.2Shortlisted commercial cells6.3Electrical and thermal comparison of candidates6.4Resulting module or pack concept6.5Propagation risks of the concept6.6Estimated cost per installed kWh6.7Chosen format and its justification6.8Supply risks of the chosen format6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys Fluent, GT-AutoLion, SolidWorks and BatPaC (Argonne National Laboratory), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: selecting the cell format for an electric motorcycle, thermal comparison of cylindrical and prismatic cells and analysis of commercial pack designs.
Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 62660-1; IEC 62660-3; ISO/PAS 16898; UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, section 38.3; IEC 61960-3; UNECE Regulation No. 100; SAE J2464; ISO 6469-1.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with COMSOL Multiphysics, Ansys Fluent, GT-AutoLion, SolidWorks and BatPaC (Argonne National Laboratory), using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required: you only need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme's software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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