This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

MTE4593 - Materials and environment

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

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

Faculty

Engineering

Organisational Unit

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Coordinator(s)

Professor Terry Turney

Offered

Not offered in 2016

Synopsis

This unit provides an introduction to the political, social and environment background to materials recycling and looks at motivations for recycling. Major technologies relating to the recycling of metals, plastics, glass, paper and ceramic materials are discussed: involving looking at the choice between materials reclamation, energy recovery and landfill. It considers the economics of materials production, as well as 'cradle-to-grave' analyses of materials including products and by-products of the nuclear fuel cycle. In particular it looks at life-cycle analysis techniques. Market failure in the economics of the environment and the role of externalities and their remedies are covered.

Outcomes

The student will develop an understanding of the economic, social, political and technical aspects of materials recycling, an appreciation of the role of recycling in the broader environmental context, the capacity to undertake life-cycle analysis of products or services, and technical knowledge in the main areas of recycling including polymers, ceramics, metals and paper.

Assessment

Two written assignments: 25%
Oral presentation: 5%
Tests: 10%
Examination (3 hours): 60%

Workload requirements

3 hours lectures/tutorials and 9 hours private study per week

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Nick Birbilis

Prerequisites

ENE2503 or MTE2541 or MSC2011

Prohibitions

ENE4506