Interfacial Transport Phenomena for Energy Technologies

3 credits · Graduate

The main topics are transport phenomena taking place on interfaces in renewable/sustainable energy technology. These transport phenomena comprise of charge transport (ions, electrons), heat transfer, and mass transfer (e.g. diffusion), sometimes coupled with chemical reactions (e.g. catalytic, electrochemical, photochemical.). We will study these transport phenomena at interfaces, especially in the micro- and nano-scale and apply this knowledge to energy conversion and storage processes. These interfacial transport phenomena are essential for photovoltaic cells, fuel cells, batteries, solarthermal devices, thermoelectric devices, and many others. Open to graduate students; instructor consent required for undergraduate students to enroll. Recommended prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 431 or equivalent.