Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This provides advanced knowledge and understanding of materials extraction, processing and waste management and recycling as a basis for Eco Assessment of products to facilitate environmental sustainability.
The module will provide an understanding and knowledge of the degradation of materials in their environment. This is important because materials can be designed to undergo controlled degradation in their environment, or they can be designed to remain stable for longer. To address these differing approaches, biodegradation will be explained for the former and methods to present corrosion will be assessed for the latter. This is important because chemical engineering requires materials that are fit for purpose. Metal pipes, for example, corrode and one needs to ensure that they last for as long as possible for economic and safety reasons. Sustainability applications often benefit from materials that will degrade safety at the end of their useful lives, and biodegradation is an important means to this end.

Outline Of Syllabus

U Mineral resources, reserves classification and distribution of resources, extraction and processing of minerals.
Circular economy and sustainable development. Critical raw materials and factors affecting waste management and recycling.
Recycling technologies for metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers and composite materials.
Eco-assessment techniques illustrated with case studies: Washing machines, electric cars, beverage bottles, Building components, and mobile phones, etc.
Materials used for biodegradation and the mechanisms by which it occurs.
Definitions of different kinds of corrosion and corrosion failure. The economic and health and safety implications of corrosive failure will be highlighted.
Thermodynamics and electrochemical materials chemistry of corrosion.
Using Pourbaix Diagrams to assess environments whereby materials can be made stable.
Corrosion Protection: anodic and cathodic protection. Other means of enhancing the life of metals.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completing this module, students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
1.       The limited availability of raw materials and the importance of recycling in a circular economy; (AHEP4 M2,M4,M7)
2.       Critical raw materials and factors affecting recycling;(AHEP4 M2-M4,M7)
3.       The embedded energy and CO2 footprint associated with extraction, processing and recycling of materials(AHEP4 M2-M4,M7)
4.       Waste Management and its problems;(AHEP4 M4,M7)
5.       The basic dimensions of sustainable development;(AHEP4 M7)
6.       The underpinning physical principles involved in corrosion as well as its importance (AHEP4,M2,M7)
7.       The appropriate methods to extend the lifetime of materials to improve sustainability (AHEP4 M2-M4,M7)
8.       The applications and mechanisms involved in biodegradation (AHEP4, M2, M7).

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students will be able to:
1. Evaluate the eco-properties of materials. (AHEP4 M2-M5, M7)
2. Make decisions on suitable technologies for recycling/management/degradation of solid waste.
(AHEP4 M2-M5, M7)

3. Make decisions about how to assess and maximize metal lifetime against corrosion (AHEP4 M2-
M5, M7, M17) and communicate these findings.
4. Use specialised software to carry out eco assessments (e.g.CES Edu Pack).(AHEP4 M3-M4,M7)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures convey the underlying engineering science and the approaches required to apply this to the discipline- specific problems identified.
Tutorials support the students' private-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems posed by the Tutorial Questions using computer software.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative computer-based assessment provides an appropriate way to assess both theoretical understanding and practical problem solving skills (AHEP4 M2- M4, M7). It further provides a means to ensure engagement.

The written examination assesses the basic understanding and the ability to deploy the concepts learnt throughout the module in solving problems related to the sustainability of different kinds of materials under time constraint as required in industry. (AHEP4 M2-M4, M7, M17).

The assignment enables a more realistic engineering problem to be considered and assesses the required information acquisition and software use skills (AHEP4 M3-M4). It also develops the ability to apply the broad base of scientific principles which underpin engineering design, in conjunction with a deeper knowledge and understanding in a specific subject area (AHEP4 M2-M5, M7).

General Notes

N/A