Description
The overarching goals of the chemical energy transition within this century is the production of clean energy where nothing but pure water is produced at the exhaust of engines and fuel cells. Such a technological dream faces scientific challenges such as the development of well performing catalysts, thin selective membranes, understanding electrochemical reactions at the nanoscale and integrating nanoscience and nanotechnology within current fuel cell and electrolysers architectures. This course introduces all the basic knowledge necessary to understand this chemical energy transition research field and proposes novel research strategies at the forefront of science and technology
Admission
This course is available only for students in the minor Sustainable Chemistry and Biotechnology.
Course Objectives
At the end of the course students:
can analysize scientific articles and reviews
can write reports and formulate a research proposal
can prepare a research talk based on literature reading and research proposal
can identify novelty and formulate novel and innovative research plans
know the importance of the chemical energy transition
understand kinetics and thermodynamics in electrochemical reactions
know of electrolysis, electrolyzers, fuel cells, batteries, major (electro)chemical reactions
understand the active role of membrane in electrolyzers and fuel cells
understand hydrogen and CO2 economy
understand carbon cycle, fossil fuels vs hydrogen, methanol and CO2
understand nanoscience and nanotechnology in energy harvesting
know of nanofabrication techniques used in device design
understand membrane technology in fuel cell devices
understand two dimensional membranes: graphene and nanoporous membranes
understand nanographene and polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Lectures and seminars
Assessment Methode
Written exam based on homework and course questions: ½ of the grade
Research proposal and review presentation: ½ of the grade (2/3 for the proposal, 1/3 for the review)
Retake exam with same format (for written exam only, not proposal-review)
Reading List
TBA
Registration
Enrollment through uSis is mandatory