Undergraduate - UnitMTE4599 - Materials for energy technologies

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering
Offered	Clayton First semester 2012 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	B Winther-Jensen

Synopsis

Materials used in energy production, storage and conversion will be described in detail. These include: light harvesting materials; solar power conversion efficiency; interaction of light with matter; inorganic semiconductor cells, organic (and hybrid) solar cells, dyesensitized solar cells; electrocatalytic materials and applications in fuel-cells, dye-sensitized solar cells and water-splitting; photo-(electro)-catalysis and modern battery systems, Li-ion cells and Li metal cells, metal-air batteries, flow batteries, advanced electrolytes; principles in capacitors, carbon materials, nanotubes graphine, mesoporous materials; hydrogen storage materials and electrochemical methods.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will:

• be able to explain why the energy landscape is changing and the role materials

will play in alternate energy technologies in the broad areas of energy
production, storage and conversion.

• be able to explain the theory underpinning photo-(electro)-catalysis and photo driven

water-spitting.

• be able to describe energy storage materials including batteries, capacitors and hydrogen storage materials and identify the benefits and shortcomings of each.
• learn advanced skills in electrochemical methods such as measuring the CV

and impedance of electroactive materials, overpotential, columbic
efficiency and capacity.

• understand the fundamentals of light harvesting materials and fabricate semiconductor cells.
• develop an appreciation of solar cell economics, materials supply and

learn how to quantify solar power conversion efficiency.

Assessment

Two 3-hour practical classes: 15%, two written assignments: 15%, One 1-hour mid-semester test: 10% and 3-hour written examination: 60%.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor G P Simon

Contact hours

3 lectures/tutorials per week, a total of 2 three hour laboratory sessions each requiring three hours report preparation (1hr per week), 8 hrs of private study per week.

Prerequisites

MTE2541