ECE 595G - Materials and Devices for Solid-State Energy Conversion

Course Details

Lecture Hours: 3 Credits: 3

Counts as:

Experimental Course Offered:

Fall 2006

Catalog Description:

Principles of solid-state conversion of energy between electrical and light (photovoltaics and light-emitting diodes), thermal and electrical (thermoelectric and solid-state thermionic), thermodynamic limits, materials figures-of-merit, device design issues; challenges in materials engineering; potential advantages of nanocomposites; prospects for technology replacement; societal impact assessment.

Required Text(s):

  1. No Required Text - reading material will be provided

Recommended Text(s):

  1. Direct Energy Conversion , 4th Edition , Stanley W. Angrist , Allyn and Bacon , 1982 , ISBN No. 0205077587

Learning Outcomes:

A student who successfully fulfills the course requirements will have demonstrated:
  1. a basic understanding of the thermodynamic limits of efficiency for energy conversion devices. [a]
  2. a basic understanding of electronic and thermal transport in semiconductors. [a]
  3. a basic understanding of the properties of materials used in energy conversion devices. [a]
  4. the ability to provide an elementary explanation of photovoltaic device operation. [a]
  5. the ability to provide an elementary explanation of light-emitting diode operation. [a]
  6. the ability to provide an elementary explanation of thermoelectric generator operation. [a]
  7. the ability to provide an elementary explanation for piezoelectric transducer operation. [a]
  8. the ability to analyze and critique proposed energy conversion mechanisms and devices. [a,c,e,g,h]
  9. the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team in the preparation and oral presentation of a position paper. [a,d,e,f,g,h]

Lecture Outline:

Week(s) Lecture Topics
1 Introduction to solid-state energy conversion devices; history, present thrusts, and future promise
2 Review of semiconductor device physics
2 Photovoltaics
1 Thermophotovoltaics
2 Light-emitting diodes
2 Application of LEDs to general illumination
2 Thermoelectric generators
2 Thermoelectric refrigerators
1 Thermionic generators

Assessment Method:

Assessment will be accomplished by exams (a midterm and a final exam); approximately eight problem sets, each typically comprising one open-ended problem designed to practice critical thinking skills; an individual critique of a novel energy conversion device proposed in the scientific or patent literature, presented orally to the class; and a team technology assessment exercise presented to the class in debate format.