Advanced materials mainly for applications in renewable energy production and sustainability. Includes semiconductors, materials for high temperature applications and high strength structural materials
This class has the purpose of providing a general overview of the applications of materials science in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability. It includes a revisitation of some basic concepts of thermodynamics in order to understand the problems before starting to seek for solutions.
Basic review of thermodynamic principles, thermal engines, production of energy. Open systems and their description by system dynamics. Climate change and atmospheric dynamics. General conditions of dynamic equilibrium. High temperature materials for thermal engines. Crude oil extraction and processing. Nuclear energy: basic principles and materials. Thermal solar systems. Semiconductors and solar cells. Wind energy and basic concepts of aerodynamics. Hydraulic energy. New avenues in renewable energy: high altitude wind energy. General principles of sustainability. Planetary depletion of mineral resources. General conditions for the extinction of humankind.