Description

Introduction of fundamental materials development and principles in addressing issues associated with affordable and sustainable energy. The course starts with basic concepts in materials science and engineering, with special attention paid to the origin of size effects in controlling the properties of nanomaterials. Then a range of materials issues related to development of renewable energy resources and sustainable energy technologies will be discussed. Topics to be covered include: photovoltaic materials and solar energy conversion; thermoelectric materials; materials for electrical energy storage and generation; materials for hydrogen production; piezoelectric energy harvesting; and materials for other emerging energy processes.