Course syllabus

Course-PM

TIF351 / FYM350 TIF350 / FYM350 Functional energy materials lp2 HT25 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Physics

Contact details

Examiner and lecturers:

Björn Wickman, bjorn.wickman@chalmer.se 

Aleksandar Matic, matic@chalmers.se

Guest Lecturers:

Anders Hellman, anders.hellman@chalmers.se

Uta Hejral, uta.hejral@chalmers.se

Shantanu Mishra, shantanu.mishra@chalmers.se

Course purpose

Materials science is crucial for the development of new technologies. In this course the student will learn how materials development has laid the ground for modern energy technology and how the future sustainable energy systems will be shaped by new materials. Further, the course will give an overview of the opportunities and limitations of which specific material properties, and based on their specifically tailored functions, might contribute to future energy systems. 

Conceptually, the course is based on the relation between fundamental materials properties and the performance of practical devices. The course content covers a general introduction to the materials challenges related to the design and development of next-generation energy technologies, and an in-depth analysis of materials in batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, fuel cells, electrolysers, catalysis, and nanomaterials. 

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 builds on a series of lectures and a compulsory case study. 

The case study will be performed individually, 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 when topics are selected. This case study will be presented at the end of the course as a written report and in an oral presentation session (see further in the specific document on the case study). The case study is graded and constitutes 30% of the final grade (see further below on examination).

The course also includes a practical laboratory exercise which is compulsory and is only graded passes or failed.

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, electrolysers, supercapacitors, catalysts, nanomaterials, 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:

• After successfully completing the course, the student should be able to:

  • 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, supercapacitors, fuel cells, electrolysers, and nanomaterials.
  • 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, 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 case study by a case study abstract, an oral presentation, and a written project report. Passed grade is required on both parts, as well as the practical laboratory exercise. The final course grade is weighted by 70 % on the oral exam and 30 % on the case study.