Materials and Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage (ENE230)
The course will deal with the various types of materials used for energy conversion and storage. Emphasis will be placed in materials for renewable/sustainable energy, including battery technology, solar energy, and fuel cells.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
ENE230
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Content
- Overview of materials for energy conversion and storage: solar cells, batteries, fuel cells, H2 production and storage (metal hydrides) & gas-power plants materials (catalysts, porous materials).
- Materials for battery fabrication: Lead-acid, Li-ion, Ni metal hydrides, NaS, metal-air. Structural and chemical properties. Material selection and design criteria.
- Introduction to physical and chemical characterization techniques for materials: spectroscopy, microscopy, surface and textural properties, morphology, calorimetry, X-ray methods, mechanical testing
- Characterization methods as applied to degradation studies and quality control of battery materials
Learning outcome
After the course one should
- Understand the different materials and technologies utilized for energy conversion and storage.
- Get familiar with the various materials that are used for battery technology and their different characteristics.
- Understand the structural and chemical properties of materials for solar energy, hydrogen production, and fuel cells.
- Discover the various physicochemical techniques employed for the characterization of these materials.
- Elaborate on the role of materials selection for energy conversion and storage, with a focus on sustainability.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
Two assignments and one written exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam | 70/100 | 3 Hours | Letter grades | Calculator |
| Assignment 1 | 15/100 | 1 Weeks | Letter grades | |
| Assignment 2 | 15/100 | 1 Weeks | Letter grades |
The assignments may be completed using any resources, including working with other students. Each student must hand in their own assignment; no joint submissions or photocopies are permitted.The written exam is done with pen and paper. All parts of the assessment must be passed in order to get a passing grade in the course. No re-sit opportunities are offered for the assignments. Students who do not pass one or both of the assignments can retake this the next time the course is held.