Course syllabus

Course-PM

TIF350 / FYM350 TIF350 / FYM350 Functional energy materials lp2 HT20 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Physics

Contact details

Examiner:

Aleksandar Matic, matic@chalmers.se

Lecturers:

Aleksandar Matic, matic@chalmers.se

Dinko Chakarov, dinko.chakarov@chalmers.se

Course purpose

Materials science is crucial for the development of new technologies. To get insight into how fundamental physical properties of materials enable functionality in modern energy technologies, such as batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, supercapacitors, catalysts, hydrogen storage, thermoelectrica etc. By applying knowledge on physical models of structure and processes in materials at different levels the student should be acquainted with rational development of new materials and technologies and connect to e.g. performance, lifetime, sustainability and environmental impact, and cost.

Schedule

TimeEdit

Course literature

Lecture notes and chapters in e-books available through Chalmers library.

One good book is:

Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Edited By David S. Ginley And David Cahen. Cambridge University Press - M.U.A eISBN-13: 9781139183420

Course design

The course build on a series of lectures and a compulsory case study.

The case study will be performed individually or in groups of 2 students, with the aim of applying fundamental concepts from the course to a specific energy technology or material. The topic of the case study is chosen by the students and could also include areas not explicitly covered in, but related to, the course. The topics must be approved by the examiners at the beginning of the course. This case study will be presented at the end of the course in the form of a poster session (poster and short oral pitch). The case study is graded and constitutes 30% of the final grade.

Learning objectives and syllabus

The aim of the course is to provide insight into how fundamental physical properties of materials enable functionality in modern energy technologies, such as batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, supercapacitors, catalysts, hydrogen storage, thermoelectrics etc. By applying knowledge on physical models of structure and processes in materials at different levels the student should be acquainted with rational development of new materials and technologies and connect to e.g. performance, lifetime, sustainability and environmental impact, and cost.

Learning objectives:

• account for the role of materials science for the development of sustainable energy technologies. 
• give an overview of state-of-the-art functional materials in energy technology, such as solar cells, batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, thermoelectric materials
• explain how functionality is linked to materials composition, 
  structure and morphology, dimensionality/nanoscale 
• assess new technologies and research results with respect to requirements on the materials' 
  properties as set by the demands of the final functional device, such as efficiency, weight, thermodynamic stability, lifetime and cost.
• devise strategies for the development of new materials with better performance.

Study plan

Examination form

Examination includes an oral exam and examination of the project work by an oral presentation and written project report..