- The Chemistry and Materials of Sustainable Energy

Catalog description

This course will explore chemical processes and materials science underlying energy conversion processes, with a focus on sustainable approaches. After an overview of the science of climate change and an analysis of current energy practices, the course will focus on renewable sources of electricity, energy storage, and sustainable production of chemical fuels. Throughout, the emphasis will be on the thermodynamics, materials science, catalysis, and (photo) electrochemical processes central to energy use and production. The course will include a semester-long research project that will require students to engage with the primary literature from a variety of sub-disciplines. This course fulfills the Writing (W) GE requirement. Three class periods and one three-hour laboratory weekly.