ECE 595G - Materials and Devices for Solid-State Energy Conversion
Course Details
Lecture Hours: 3 Credits: 3
Counts as:
Experimental Course Offered:
Spring 2005
Catalog Description:
Principles of solid-state conversion of energy between electrical and light (photovoltaics, thermophotovoltaics and solid-statelighting based on light-emitting diodes), thermal and electrical (thermoelectric and solid-state thermionic, magnetic and acoustic (magnetostrictive) and electrical and acoustic (piezoelectric and electrostrictive); irreversible thermodynamis and efficiency limits, materials figures-of-merit, fundamentals of semiconductor device physics, device design issues; challenges in materials engineering (role of defects, dopants, contacts, bandgap engineering, and methods of materials synthesis); potential advantages of nanocomposites; prospects for technology replacement; societal impact assessment.
Course Objectives:
This course aims to provide the student with the theoretical background necessary to evaluate solid-state energy conversion technologies, to design simple devices, and to determine the materials properties necessary to achieve optimal device performance.
Required Text(s):
None.
Recommended Text(s):
- Direct Energy Conversion , Fourth Edition , Stanley W. Angrist , Allyn and Bacon , 1982 , ISBN No. 0205077587
Learning Outcomes:
- A basic understanding of the thermodynamic limits of efficiency for energy conversion devices. [a]
- A basic understanding of electronic and thermal transport in semiconductors. [a]
- A basic understanding of the properties of materials used in energy conversion devices. [a]
- The ability to provide an elementary explanation of photovoltaic device operation. [a]
- The ability to provide an elementary explanation of light-emitting diode operation. [a]
- The ability to provide an elementary explanation of thermoelectric generator operation. [a]
- The ability to provide an elementary explanation of piezoelectric transducer operation. [a]
- The ability to analyze and critique proposed energy conversion mechanisms and devices. [a,c,e,g,h]
- 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) | Topics |
---|---|
1 | Introduction to solid-state energy conversion devices; history, present thrusts, and future promise |
1 | Irreversible thermodynamics |
1 | Unified model for energy conversion devices |
2 | Review of semiconductor device physics |
2 | Photovoltaics and thermophotovoltaics |
2 | Light-emitting diodes for general illumination |
3 | Thermoelectric generators and cooling devices |
1 | Thermionic generators |
2 | Piezoelectric and electrostrictive transducers |
1 | Magnetostrictive transducers |
Engineering Design Content:
- Establishment of Objectives and Criteria
- Synthesis
- Analysis
Engineering Design Consideration(s):
- Economic
- Manufacturability
- Sustainability
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 form.