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2021　Fundamentals of electrochemistry and the application to energy conversion materials (Advanced)

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Instructor(s)
Laberty Christel Martine 
Class Format
Lecture     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Intensive ()  
Group
-
Course number
MAT.P602
Credits
1
Academic year
2021
Offered quarter
3-4Q
Syllabus updated
2021/4/6
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

In this class, the conversion and energy storage different from battery and fuel cell in order to give a large view of system existing for producing or storing energy will be discussed.

Student learning outcomes

The students can learn about
A. Fuel cells: i) How fuel cells work, ii) the different type of fuel cells and iii) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.
B. i) How solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) work, ii) the advantage and disadvantage of SOFCs and iii) the relationship between performances and the architecture of the SOFCs.
Finally, the class will highlight how important it is to tune the architecture of the core-cell to reach good performances.

Keywords

Fuel Cells (PEMFC), Fuel Cells (SOFC), Li-ion Battery, Li-air Battery, Supercapacitor, Energy Conversion

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills Communication skills ✔ Critical thinking skills ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

Before coming to class, students should read the course schedule and check what topics will be covered. Required learning should be completed outside of the classroom for preparation and review purposes.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 This class presents an overview of the different way of energy production. It will consist of discussing the transition energy. Contemporary energy transitions differ in terms of motivation and objectives, drivers and governance. Renewable energy encompasses wind, hydropower, solar power, geothermal, and ocean power. These renewable sources are to serve as an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas) and nuclear fuel (uranium). Solving the energy/global warming problem is regarded as the most important challenge facing humankind in the 21st century. In this class, we will discuss the conversion and energy storage different from battery and fuel cell in order to give a large view of system existing for producing or storing energy. To understand the conversion and energy storage different from battery and fuel cell in order to give a large view of system existing for producing or storing energy.
Class 2 Fuel cells have the potential to replace the internal combustion engine in vehicles and to provide power in stationary and portable power applications because they are energy-efficient, clean and fuel-flexible. Fuel cells work like batteries, but they do not run down or need recharging. They produce electricity and heat as long as fuel is supplied. A fuel cell consists of two electrodes—a negative electrode (or anode) and a positive electrode (or cathode)—sandwiched around an electrolyte. Fuel cells are classified primarily by the kind of electrolyte they employ. This classification determines the kind of electro-chemical reactions that take place in the cell, the kind of catalysts required, the temperature range in which the cell operates, the fuel required, and other factors. These characteristics, in turn, affect the applications for which these cells are most suitable. There are several types of fuel cells currently under development, each with its own advantages, limitations, and potential applications. This class will be focused on i) How fuel cells work, ii) the different type of fuel cells and iii) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. More specifically, the research and development goals for PEMFC will be discussed as function of cost, performance and durability. To understand i) How fuel cells work, ii) the different type of fuel cells and iii) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.
Class 3 This class introduces solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). SOFCs use a hard, non-porous ceramic compound as the electrolyte. SOFCs are around 60% efficient at converting fuel to electricity. In applications designed to capture and utilize the system's waste heat (co-generation), overall fuel use efficiencies could top 85%. SOFCs operate at very high temperatures—as high as 1,000°C (1,830°F). High-temperature operation removes the need for precious-metal catalyst, thereby reducing cost. It also allows SOFCs to reform fuels internally, which enables the use of a variety of fuels and reduces the cost associated with adding a reformer to the system. This class will be focused on i) How SOFCs work, ii) the advantage and disadvantage of SOFCs and iii) the relationship between performances and the architecture of the SOFCs. This class will highlight how important it is to tune the architecture of the core-cell to reach good performances. To understand i) How SOFCs work, ii) the advantage and disadvantage of SOFCs and iii) the relationship between performances and the architecture of the SOFCs.
Class 4 First, a short history of battery evolution (going from Volta battery to Li-ion battery) will be presented in order to study the various evolution in term of electrode materials and electrolyte. The different electrode reactions will be discussed going from conversion (Lead-battery) to insertion (Ni-Cd and Ni-MH) reaction. Second, the Li-ion battery will be presented as well as their evolution with time, conducing to higher energy density. For example, the use of nanomaterials allows the development of the LiFePO4/C or LiCoO2/Si technologies. To understand the history of battery evolution and the development by the use of nanomaterials.
Class 5 Finally, the last part of the lecture will be dedicated to Li-air battery. This type of battery is very interesting as it theoretically exhibits an energy density 10 time superior to the actual Li-ion technology. Up to now, the real power and life-cycle of Li–air batteries need significant improvements before they can find any competitive market niche. Significant advances in multiple fields are thus needed to develop a commercial implementation. In this lecture, we will focus our attention to problems in term of materials and design that need to be solved before this technology can reach the market of automotive. To understand the Li-air battery and the technology to be solved in the automotive market.
Class 6 A supercapacitor is a high-capacity capacitor with capacitance values much higher than other capacitors. They bridge the gap between electrolytic capacities and rechargeable battery. They are used in applications that require many rapid charge/discharge cycles rather than long term compact energy storage. They consist of two electrodes separated by an ion-permeable membrane and an electrolyte ionically connecting both electrodes. When the electrodes are polarized by an applied voltage, ions in the electrolyte form electric double layers of opposite polarity to the electrode's polarity. Additionally, depending on electrode material and surface shape, some ions may permeate the double layer becoming specifically adsorbed ions and contribute with pseudocapacitance to the total capacitance of the supercapacitor. To understand the basic principle of super capacitor.
Class 7 This lecture is dedicated to the use of nanomaterials for energy conversion. We will discuss the benefit of this material for photoelectrochemical cell and Li-ion battery driven by light. This latter is a new device that we are currently designing in our lab. If it works, it will allow battery to be recharged under light. A discussion in term of composition of materials, architecture design (nanomaterials and the assembly of nanomaterials in the 3-D of the electrodes) will be performed. To understand the nanomaterials for energy conversion.

Textbook(s)

Not required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Materials used in class can be found on OCW-i.

Assessment criteria and methods

Student's course scores are based on the report submitted.

Related courses

  • ENR.H411 ： Topics in Applied Electrochemistry
  • ENR.H416 ： Advanced Electrochemistry

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses is desirable.

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