Energy Materials 2

Despite this module can be considered as a continuation of the WS “Energy Materials I” course, it is also an independent module with a specific focus on identification, design and characterization of functional materials for energy applications. While the WS “Energy Materials I” course mainly deals with the materials particularly applicable in energy provision/storage devices involving (interfacial) charge separation, this module aims to provide a broader overview.

Content

·         Nanostructured materials, their role in energy conversion and storage, design principles

·         Magnetic materials in energy conversion

·         Porous vs dense solids in energy applications

·         Materials for hydrogen storage

·         Transparent electron conductors and their applications in energy conversion

·         Key techniques and methodologies for identification and characterisation of energy materials

·         Superconductors: towards future energy applications

·         Piezoelectric materials

Rather than dealing with the physical and chemical basics of energy conversion and storage, the module will focus on particular classes of functional materials used in this field and explain their important properties in terms of specific functionality.

After successful completion of this module, the students should: (i) have an up-to-date knowledge of important classes of materials in the field of energy science, (ii) explain the design principles to control their functionality, (iii) name factors which determine the performance of functional materials for energy applications, (iv) analyse and compare characterisation and identification techniques and methodologies widely used in energy material science.

Lectures, seminars (master students), presentations

The students are supposed to read literature, which is provided in the lecture slides and TUM Moodle system, as there are no tutor classes attributed to these lectures.

The students can however visit complimentary seminars on Energy Materials 2 after the lectures.

- PowerPoint presentations with incorporated animations.
- interactive discussions and explanations using the black board.
- lecture PDFs with the links to the relevant literature are available before and after the lecture in TUM Moodle.

- Key literature including relevant journal publications are available at TUM Moodle in the sections corresponding to the particular lectures

The literature to this lecture is based on the scientific research articles referred to in the lecture slides and partly available at TUM Moodle in the sections corresponding to the particular lectures.

There will be an oral exam of 25 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using comprehension questions and sample calculations.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

• Using energy diagrams, explain why oxide materials can have high electronic conductivity but remain transparent. Name state-of-the art materials.
• Polycrystalline piezoelectric ceramics: what are the design principles?
• What are the main steps in the process of hydrogenation? What is their impact for reversibility of the process?