Materials: Enabling the Future of Energy
    GENERAL INFORMATION 
     ENGRI 1140
    new course: to be offered Spring 2010 
    Lecture/discussion: MWF 1:25 – 2:15
    Lab Sections: M,T,F 2:30 - 4:30
 

    This site contains only general information about ENGRI 1140
    Registered students should go to the Cornell Blackboard site for full details  (available August)


Who takes this course?


What are the requirements?


This course is an "Introduction to Engineering"  class.  It is designed for freshmen in the Engineering College, and so has no college-level pre-requisites. All engineering freshmen are required to take one of these `ENGRI' courses.

"Introduction to Engineering"  courses act as an introduction to the general field of engineering, where scientific advances are translated into practical devices.  They cover a wide range of different areas.


What is this course about?
New technologies are urgently needed to fulfill projected global energy requirements.

Materials properties typically limit the performance that can be achieved in generation, transport, and utilization of energy.

This experiential learning course will explore how new materials can increase our energy supply and decrease consumption.

Materials issues in photovoltaic, fuel cell, battery, wind, transportation, lighting, and building technologies will be studied.

Through integrated lab-based activities students will develop a broad understanding of materials issues in order to successfully design and build an energy storage system.


Above: Photovoltaic systems (solar cells) represent an efficient method to harvest energy from sunlight. Sophisticated materials are required to achieve adequate efficiency.

Left: Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are the most efficient method to transform electricity into light.
More details of the content and structure of the course:
 

The topics of the course include:


21st century global energy issues: role of technology

Energy sources: photovoltaics
    Semiconductors
        band structure
        devices
        thin film technology
    photoelectrochemical cells
    artificial photosynthesis

Energy sources: wind
    turbines: strength of materials

Energy storage & transport
    Fuel cells – Hydrogen Economy
        ow-temperature: polymer membrane
        high-temperature: solid oxide
    Batteries
        Li-ion battery technology
        crystal structure

Energy consumption
    Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
    Organic Light Emitting Devices (OLEDs)
    Transportation
        internal combustion vs. hybrid vs.
        "plug-in" vs. full electric
    Technology of buildings
        low-emissivity windows

In all cases, the underlying materials concepts will be developed in the context of these topics, thus providing a broad introduction to the fundamentals of materials science.

Laboratory component

The highly integrated Lab component is a key aspect of this course, and differentiates it from other ENGRI courses.

In the Lab sections, the students will design and build an energy system – in spring 2010 a Li-ion battery – for which a wide range of materials issues must be considered.

As we move forward with the Lab project throughout the semester, we will find that new questions are raised and new understanding is needed in order to progress. This will motivate students to comprehend the scientific and engineering concepts and develop the skills required to design, construct, and test a working device.

The students will form small teams that will take independent approaches to building their system. The lab experience will foster leadership and responsibility, developing some of the professional skills that are essential for success in a modern group-oriented team environment.

Course Grading: There will be approximately seven Problem Sets, one midterm exam, a team presentation and a final exam.

Problem sets: 15%
Midterm: 25%
Laboratory Work/Team Presentation 30%
Final: 30%

Course Instructor:

Prof. R Bruce van Dover

 

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