Patrick Greene

Comparative discharge characterization of button-cell batteries in an introductory physics CURE part of CUREnet:CURE Collection
This Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) engages students in an algebra-based introductory physics laboratory in a year-long investigation of the discharge behavior of commercial button-cell batteries. Working in teams, students construct simple DC circuits, collect time-resolved voltage and current data under controlled resistive loads, and analyze discharge curves to characterize battery performance, variability, and uncertainty across brands and experimental conditions.The project is designed for students with no prior electronics experience. Instruction in circuit construction, Ohm's law, computer-based data acquisition, and uncertainty analysis is embedded directly into laboratory time. A shared baseline protocol enables replication across multiple lab sections, while later extensions allow students to explore variations in load resistance, cutoff criteria, and performance metrics such as delivered energy and charge capacity.Iteration and protocol refinement are central features of the CURE, including explicit treatment of outliers, data rejection, and method revision informed by background research. Data are aggregated across semesters, enabling longitudinal analysis and reinforcing the cumulative nature of scientific research. The CURE scales across multiple sections and is well suited for life science and pre-health majors.