Plugged In: A Lasagna-Lover's Guide to EV Battery Cell Anatomy - CleanTechnica

The article "Plugged In: A Lasagna-Lover's Guide to EV Battery Cell Anatomy" by Mandira Ganti uses the metaphor of lasagna to explain the structure and function of electric vehicle (EV) battery cells, particularly pouch-format cells. It clarifies that what is commonly called an EV battery is actually a battery pack composed of multiple modules (like pans of lasagna), each containing numerous individual battery cells (servings). Each pouch cell consists of layered components analogous to lasagna layers: a cathode (positive electrode) comparable to a sauce layer, an anode (negative electrode) like a ricotta layer, and a polymer separator that keeps these layers distinct, much like pasta sheets in lasagna. These layers are stacked about 20 times within each cell, where the chemical reactions storing energy occur. The article further explains the battery's operation by describing the movement of lithium ions and electrons during charging and discharging. Lithium ions travel internally through the electrolyte—a gel-like substance facilitating