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):
- No Required Text - reading material will be provided
Recommended Text(s):
- Direct Energy Conversion , 4th 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 for 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) | 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.