The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive background in the selection and application of materials specifically tailored for energy engineering. Beyond fundamental theoretical principles and general knowledge, the primary objective is the mastery and implementation of the Ashby approach to materials selection. Students will engage in laboratory-based training, featuring practical activities strictly aligned with the theoretical framework presented in lectures. Consequently, further learning objectives include the acquisition of fundamental principles and the proficient use of advanced analytical instrumentation, specifically: Durability and Mechanical Testing: Assessing material performance through microhardness and mechanical fatigue testing. Surface Engineering and Modification: Techniques such as shot peening to enhance material properties. Material Characterization: Evaluating internal states, including residual stress analysis via X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and the hole-drilling method. Electrical and Electrochemical Characterization: Performance testing of solar cells, batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen production systems, wind energy components, and thermoelectric materials and devices.
Main activities:
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Fundamentals of Materials Science: Classification and fundamental properties of materials.
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Materials Selection Based on Performance and Cost: Ashby Charts and the design-led approach to materials selection for specific applications.
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Energy Production: * (i) High-temperature materials:Materials for heat engines (e.g., turbines and aerospace components). (ii) Materials for direct energy conversion: Photovoltaics (solar cells), fuel cells, wind energy, and thermoelectricity.
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Energy Storage and Transmission: Storage: Advanced batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen carriers. Transmission: Conductors, superconductors, and insulators.
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Energy Efficiency: The impact of material selection on energy conservation (e.g., advanced thermal insulation).
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Aging, Degradation, and Failure of Materials in Service: Analysis of materials under operational stress, including creep, mechanical fatigue, cavitation, wear, and corrosion.