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Sustainable Energy Materials

Code: 45741
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Applied Nanoscience: From Materials to Devices OP 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Eva Maria Pellicer Vilà
Email :
eva.pellicer@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Aitor Lopeandia Fernandez

Teaching staff (external to UAB)

Alexandre Ponrouch
Mariano Campoy

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites, although prior knowledge of semiconductor physics and electrochemistry is recommended.

Objectives

The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles governing nanomaterials for energy conversion, harvesting, and storage technologies. The course will explore the relationship between the physical and physicochemical properties of nanomaterials and their performance in advanced energy devices, emphasizing efficiency, sustainability, and technological innovation.

Learning outcomes

  • CA22 (Assess the feasibility and efficiency of proposed nanomaterials to achieve more sustainable power generation) Assess the feasibility and efficiency of proposed nanomaterials to achieve more sustainable power generation
  • CA23 (Propose nanomaterials with optimal properties for use in energy storage and generation/recovery devices.) Propose nanomaterials with optimal properties for use in energy storage and generation/recovery devices.
  • KA21 (Identify the importance of nanomaterials in improving efficiency in relation to energy recovery and storage technologies.) Identify the importance of nanomaterials in improving efficiency in relation to energy recovery and storage technologies.
  • KA22 (Describe the efficiency improvement of devices that use nanomaterials in energy conversion and storage.) Describe the efficiency improvement of devices that use nanomaterials in energy conversion and storage.
  • KA23 (Define the main properties of nanomaterials in their use as materials for energy.) Define the main properties of nanomaterials in their use as materials for energy.
  • SA30 (Evaluate the suitability and suitability of nanomaterials to be part of devices in energy recovery and/or storage systems.) Evaluate the suitability and suitability of nanomaterials to be part of devices in energy recovery and/or storage systems.
  • SA31 (Relate the properties of materials to their use in more efficient devices.) Relate the properties of materials to their use in more efficient devices.

Contents

PART 1: Photovoltaics


  • Optical properties of solids. Light absorption in semiconductors. Characteristics of Sun light.
  • Photovoltaic effect and solar cells: Basic concepts. Equivalent circuit. Device structure.
  • Theoretical maximum efficiency. Thermodynamics of a solar cell. Detailed Balance. Shockley-Queisser limit. Energy calculation.
  • Solar cell generations. 1st generation, silicon solar cells; 2nd generation based on thin film Inorganic semiconductors (CIGS, CdTe, III-Vs); 3rd generation: emerging PV (Dye sensitised solar cells, hybrid perovskite solar cells, organic solar cells, quantum dot based solar cells).
  • Nanostructures for enhancing photovoltaic performance.
  • Sustainability in photovoltaics. Abundance of Materials. Thermal budget. Life cycle analysis.
  • Photovoltaics for different applications: solar farms, space, urban, indoor, agrovoltaics.



PART 2: Batteries and supercaps


  • Electrochemistry 101
  • Batteries and Supercaps: Basics and principles. Main figure of merits (energy density, power density, cycle life …)
  • Lithium-Ion batteries: The evolution of materials and cell design behind their commercial success
  • Beyond Li-ion: Why new battery technologies are needed and what comes next
  • Organic electrolytes: From molecular design to battery performance (power, cycle life and safety)
  • Advanced battery characterization: Operando and synchrotron techniques for understanding materials and mechanisms



PART 3: Hydrogen production, storage and conversion


  • Hydrogen production technologies: electrochemical water electrolysis, photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, and photocatalytic hydrogen generation.
  • Hydrogen storage technologies (compressed gas, metal hydrides, porous materials, …)
  • Nanomaterials for hydrogen production and storage: semiconductor photocatalysts, photoelectrodes, electrocatalysts, and advanced hydrogen storage materials.
  • Operating principles of fuel cells: proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), alkaline fuel cells (AFCs), and related technologies.
  • Key fuel cell components: proton exchange membranes, electrocatalysts, and other functional materials.



PART 4: Thermal energy recovery


  • Fundamentals of thermoelectricity: Seebeck and Peltier effects, Thomson relations, thermodynamic origin of thermoelectric transport.
  • Thermoelectric transport parameters and figure of merit ZT: electrical and thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, power factor, efficiency versus the Carnot limit.
  • Nanoscale effects on thermoelectric performance: quantum confinement, phonon-glass electron-crystal concept, interface phonon scattering, superlattices and nanocomposites.
  • Thermoelectric materials: from bulk materials (Bi2Te3, PbTe, SiGe) to nanostructured materials (skutterudites, half-Heuslers, oxides, organic thermoelectrics).
  • Thermoelectric devices and systems: generator (TEG) and Peltier cooler architectures, module design, characterization at macro- and nanoscale.
  • Applications and sustainability: waste-heat recovery, radioisotope generators for space, cooling of microelectronics, energy harvesting for IoT/wearables, raw-material criticality.



Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Mentoring 3 0.12 CA22, KA21, KA22, KA23, SA31
Self-study 78 3.12 CA22, CA23, KA21, KA22, KA23, SA30, SA31
Theory and problem-solving sessions 36 1.44 CA22, CA23, KA21, KA22, KA23, SA30, SA31
Preparing a presentation for a scientific paper 25 1 CA22, KA21, KA22, KA23, SA30, SA31

The course methodology combines autonomous, guided, and supervised learning activities to support the progressive acquisition of knowledge and skills.


Autonomous learning is based on students’ independent study and preparation, allowing them to consolidate theoretical concepts and deepen their understanding of the course material at their own pace.


Guided activities consist of theoretical lectures and problem-solving sessions, where key concepts are introduced and applied through structured exercises under the instructor’s supervision.


In addition, supervised activities focus on the preparation of a scientific paper presentation, during which students develop their ability to critically analyze research articles and communicate scientific content effectively.


This process is supported through tutorials, which provide individualized guidance, feedback, and clarification of doubts throughout the course.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Presentation of a scientific paper 30 1 0.04 KA21, KA22, KA23, SA31
Final wirtten examination 50% 4 0.16 CA22, CA23, KA21, KA22, KA23, SA30, SA31
In-class problem-solving and question-solving exercises 20% 3 0.12 CA22, CA23, KA21, KA22, KA23, SA30, SA31

The final grade will be determined as follows:


  • 50%: Final written examination covering the contents of the course
  • 30%: Presentation of a scientific paper: students will critically analyze a research article and present its scientific background, methodology, key findings, and significance to the class and the instructors.
  • 20%: In-class problem-solving and question-solving exercises (up to four), with each of the four activities contributing 5% to the final grade.


In order to pass the subject, the student should have an overall grade equal to or higher than 5.0. If the student has failed, a written makeup test on the entire content of the subject will entitle the student to pass the subject.


In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is not permitted. Any assignment or activity containing content generated by AI, in whole or in part, will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total reduction of the grade for the assignment, or more severe disciplinary sanctions in cases of serious misconduct.

Bibliography

  1. T. Markvart, L. Castañer. Solar cells: materials, manufacture and operation. Elsevier Science, 2004. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1fbc57r/alma991010913978706709
  2. C. Lefrou, P. Fabry, J.-C. Poignet. Electrochemistry: The Basics, With Examples, Springer, 2012. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1fbc57r/alma991010406802306709
  3. R. Boddula (ed.), Rechargeable batteries: history, progress, and applications, Wiley, 2020. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1fbc57r/alma991010350953106709
  4. D. Stolten, B. Emonts. Hydrogen Science and Engineering : Materials, Processes, Systems and Technology, Wiley, 2016.
  5. A. L. Dicks, D. A. J. Rand. Fuel Cell Systems Explained, Wiley, 2018. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1fbc57r/alma991011190852806709
  6. D.M. Rowe (ed.), Thermoelectrics Handbook: Macro to Nano, CRC Press, 2006.
  7. G. Chen. Nanoscale energy transport and conversion: a parallel treatment of electrons, molecules, phonons, and photons, Oxford University Press, 2005. https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1fbc57r/alma991002043849706709



Software

No special software is required.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TEm) Theory (master) 1 English first semester morning-mixed