Battery Core Learning Lab

Cell Anatomy Workbench

Explore the structure of a rechargeable lithium-ion intercalation cell and the movement of electrons and lithium ions during charge and discharge.

Conceptual visualization — not a quantitative simulation. Animation speed does not represent current, C-rate, diffusivity, reaction rate, state of charge, or time.

Load

Electrons: negative electrode → load → positive electrode

Li+ moves internally through the electrolyte toward the positive electrode. Electrons cannot cross the separator and must use the external circuit.

Select a component

Choose a component above or click directly on the cell cross-section to see its role.

Reaction roles during discharge

Anode	Negative electrode, where oxidation occurs.
Cathode	Positive electrode, where reduction occurs.

“Anode” and “cathode” describe reaction roles, so they switch sides between discharge and charge. “Negative electrode” and “positive electrode” remain fixed.

Battery literature often continues to call the negative-electrode material the “anode” and the positive-electrode material the “cathode,” even during charging. This workbench distinguishes fixed electrode polarity from reaction-based anode and cathode roles.

Simplified educational view: no voltage losses, concentration fields, SOC, thermal behavior, kinetics, degradation, or porous-electrode calculations are solved.

Interactive lithium-ion cell cross-section

Select a component