Skip to Main Content

PLAS.5470 Materials for Renewable Energy and Sustainability (Formerly 26.547)

Id: 004246 Credits Min: 3 Credits Max: 3

Description

This course reviews the selection and design of materials for use in energy generation and conservation applications. Both traditional and renewable technologies for energy generation are reviewed, and the differences in materials needs for generation, storage and transmission highlighted. Particular emphasis is placed on organic and polymeric materials technological challenges in solar, wind and hydro/geothermal energy and future transportation fuel production. The concept of life cycle assessment is introduced for the optimization of systems from a materials science perspective. The impacts of global economics, ethics and efficiency are also addressed. The course approaches sustainability as an open-ended, complex engineering problem and introduces students to the broad range of career opportunities for materials engineers in renewable energy.

Prerequisites

Pre-Req: MATH 1310 Calculus I or MATH 1380 Calculus for Life Sciences, or Permission of Instructor/Coordinator or Chair.

View Current Offerings