IRM34513 Advanced materials for energy technology (Spring 2025)

Facts about the course

ECTS Credits:
10
Responsible faculty:
Faculty of Computer Sciences, Engineering and Economics
Campus:
Fredrikstad
Course Leader:
Litian Wang
Duration:
½ year

Table of contents

The course is affiliated to the following study programme

Optional subject in Bachelor's degree in engineering - Mechanical: Digital construction and robotics/Industrial product development and for Bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Also TRESS and the Y-path associated with these study programs.

If there are fewer than 10 registered students, the course will not start.

Required prerequisite knowledge

IRF10721 Engineering calculus

Recommended previous knowledge

IRM14123Sustainable innovation and material sciences og IRF13018 Fundamental physics and chemistry for engineers.

Teaching semester

Forth semester (Spring)

Content

Topic 1:

Methodology for Material Selection

Investigation of Various Material Indices

GRANTA Material Database, Energy/CO2 Footprint, and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

Topic 2:

Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (FRP) Composites

Theory of Composites (Rule of Mixture)

Design and Manufacturing of Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting Plastic (FRP) Laminates

Topic 3:

Materials in Solar Cell Technology

Theory of Semiconductors, p-n Junction, Schottky Junction

Rectification and Photovoltaic Effect

Topic 4:

Materials in Battery Technology

Modern Batteries

Cathode and Anode Materials

Production and Recycling

Topic 5:

Nanomaterials

Colloidal Stability

Properties of Nanomaterials

Methods for Characterizing Nanomaterials and Applications

The student's learning outcomes on passing the course

Knowledge:

The student:

  • are able to describe principles for material selection for various types of constructions.
  • are able to describe the relationship between design and manufacturing of composite materials.
  • are able to explain the principles and mechanisms of solar cells.
  • are able to describe materials related to battery technology.
  • are able to describe nanomaterials and their related physical/chemical properties.

Skills:

The student:

  • are able to perform advanced material selection using the GRANTA material database.
  • are able to conduct Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) on industrial products.
  • are able to assess properties of materials related to energy technologies (mechanical, thermal, electrical, electronic, etc.).
  • are able to assess environmental measures/handling related to the aforementioned materials.

General Competence:

The student:

  • are able tomake correct and informed decisions regarding the choice of materials for various applications.

Teaching and learning methods

The subject is taught through:

  • Lectures
  • Laboratory experiments
  • Online submissions
  • Possible excursions/company visits

Workload

250-300 hours

Practical training/internship

None

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

  • Approved 4 out of 5 exercises
  • Approved 2 out of 2 lab reports

The requirements must be approved before students can present themselves for the exam

Exam

Written exam, individual. Duration: 4 hours.

Materials allowed: All printed and written materials.

Grading scale: Letter grades A to F, where A is the highest grade and F is a fail.

Examiners

External and internal examiner or two internal examiners.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

Re-exams are held early in the following semester. More information about re-exams can be found here

Course evaluation

Continuous evaluation of the teaching throughout the semester, where the method of evaluation is agreed upon between the instructor(s) and students. Written final evaluation of the course.

Reading list

The current reading list for 2025 Spring can be found in Leganto
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 4:21:56 AM