Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Master in chemistry (120 ECTS) (AMIS) | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in chemistry (120 ECTS) (FAME+) | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in physics (120 ECTS) (AMIS) | 4 crédits | |||
| Master in physics (120 ECTS) (FAME+) | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
English language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This course addresses physical aspects of materials in relation to energy and its transformation modes. It pursues a threefold objective: (i) to formulate the general concept of energy and to provide specific contexts in different areas of physics, with a particular emphasis on condensed matter, (ii) to describe, with the formalisms adapted to the atomic scale and the microscopic scale, the physical properties of materials by highlighting their links with energy, both from a theoretical and experimental point of view, (iii) to illustrate these developments with applications in energy conversion and information processing.
Table of contents
Part I - Fundamentals of matter and energy
- Mechanical, electromagnetic and thermal energies
- Energy in matter, from nuclei to molecules and crystals
- Quantum description of condensed matter
- Thermodynamics and energy transformation
- Energy from the sun
- Materials and devices for photovoltaics and photo-electrical conversion
- Materials and devices for hydrogen production and photo-chemical conversion
- Phase change materials for information and energy
- Materials for energy-efficient computing and information storage
- Materials for smart glazings and windows
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this learning, students will have received a solid background in the physics of energy and the physics of electronic materials for energy applications, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms of photo-electrical and photo-chemical conversion in energy harvesting devices as well as on the principles of efficient use of energy for advanced computing and information storage.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Basic concepts of solid-state physics and of quantum mechanics.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Prerecorded podcasts with presentations of the course material will be made available to the students as starting points for the live sessions with the teachers. Direct interactions between the students and the teachers as well as among the students will be encouraged during those sessions to discuss the content of the podcasts. Slides and various media will be used to support the lectures and illustrate the concepts discussed in the course.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
The course will develop its activities based on a blended learning approach, combining materials available from a distance and direct live sessions with the presence of the teachers.
Organisational adjustments related to the current health context
If required by the sanitary conditions, the course will be delivered via videoconference. The assessment would also be organized remotely.
Recommended or required readings
- L. Jaffe and W. Taylor, The Physics of Energy, Cambridge University Press
- Rammer, Physics of Electronic Materials - Principles and Applications, Cambridge University Press
- Lecture slides, complementary written documents and podcasts provided by the teachers
Assessment methods and criteria
Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.
Any session :
- In-person
oral exam
- Remote
oral exam
- If evaluation in "hybrid"
preferred remote
Additional information:
The evaluation will be based on the critical analysis, discussion and oral presentation of a selected publication from a renowned international journal in the field of materials for energy.
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
The practical arrangements mentioned in this course description at the beginning of the academic year are subject to possible adaptations, depending on the sanitary situation in the context of the pandemic. At the starting of the academic year, it is planned that the live sessions described in the teaching activities will be organized as face-to-face sessions.
Contacts
- N. D. Nguyen, professor (coordinator of this course), ngocduy.nguyen 'at' uliege.be
- J.-Y. Raty, F.R.S-FNRS senior research associate, jyraty 'at' uliege.be