Phone: 734-764-4312
Office: 2014 Dow
Textbook:
Cognizant Faculty: Kieffer, Laine, Halloran, Shtein
Description:
The Fall 2005 edition of MSE 489 focuses on energy generation and storage. A range of devices, materials, and processes are considered for renewable electricity generation, storage, and efficient utilization. Photovoltaic, thermoelectric, and piezoelectric generation modes are explored, in conjunction with modern technology for batteries, capacitors, and efficient solid-state lighting. In the first half of the term students work in teams on analyzing prevalent modes of energy generation, along with the technological and economic potentials for various alternatives. In the second half of the term, students select a materials system within each mode of renewable energy generation (e.g. organic semiconductors for efficient LEDs), and design manufacturing processes for these devices and materials. The teams summarize their analyses and solutions in written reports and oral presentations throughout the semester.
Course Topics:
DESIGN PROCESS
Thermodynamic Limits in Materials Processing
Molecular and Mass Balances
Generalized Energy Balance
Rate Laws
Mass Transport
Heat Transfer
PROCESS MODELING
Heat Exchangers
Reactor Types
Non-isothermal Continuous Process
Flowcharting
Balance Spaces
Dynamic Process Models
PROCESS CONTROL
Process Design Equations
Transfer Function
Dynamic Behavior
Feedback Control
Transient Response and Controller Design
Course Objectives:
In the course of the semester, the students learn to:
1. Analyze and evaluate global and personal energy demands and usage patterns.
2. Learn the mechanisms and physical principles governing energy conversion.
3. Estimate the energy generation and storage potential of a wide range of materials.
4. Use quantitative methods to analyze existing technology and identify environmental, economic, and societal impacts.
5. Identify viable new technology on the basis of efficiency, economic feasibility, and other considerations.
6. Design processes for manufacturing materials and devices that will make renewable energy an economically feasible alternative to fossil fuel combustion.
7. Research, select, retrieve, and analyze highly technical information using modern scholarly search tools.
8. Work effectively in teams.
9. Effectively communicate findings and results in written and oral form.
10. Defend their findings in an open forum consisting of peers and experts.
Course Outcomes:
After taking this course, the students will be able to:
1. Analyze the efficiency of energy generating and conversion devices.
2. Calculate the energy density and storage capacity of various devices and materials.
3. Principles and selection of materials in photovoltaic, piezoelectric, thermoelectric devices, batteries, capacitors, etc.
4. Evaluate the feasibility of various materials systems for energy conversion and storage.
5. Relate materials properties to their economic, societal, and environmental impacts.
6. Develop methods for materials processing based on materials properties and desired device performance.
Assessment Tools:
1. Written problem sets (E.g., Objectives 1, 2, 4, 8, 9; student performance).
2. Written reports and oral presentations (E.g., Objectives 1-10; student performance).
3. Peer / Self / Team evaluation reports (E.g., Objectives 4, 8; student performance).