CME8417 : Light Activated Process Technologies: Photovoltaics and Photocatalytic Reactors
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Prof. Marc Secanell Gallart
- Lecturer: Dr Fernando Russo Abegao, Dr Stevin Pramana
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module will introduce students to the photovoltaics and heterogenous photocatalytic technologies available. Solar radiation and its interaction with matter is presented. Photovoltaic technology, including material properties, charge excitation/transport/separation/collection, cell design, system operation, and available technologies. Photocatalytic materials physical and chemical principles will be covered, and photoreactor design will be explored.
Outline Of Syllabus
- Solar radiation characteristics;
- Sun positioning, incident angle, and solar tracking;
- Fundamental physics of light and electricity;
- Atomic structure and properties of metals, insulators and semi-conductors;
- Photoelectric effect, and the history of photovoltaics;
- Light absorption, and charge generation, recombination and transport in semi-conductors;
- p-n junctions and photovoltaic cell;
- Characteristic/performance curve, efficiency and energy losses in photovoltaic cells
- Materials used for PV cells;
- PV modules and system design and, manufacture and performance;
- PV system design and sizing;
- Principles of heterogenous photocatalysis;
- Photocatalytic materials;
- Kinetics and charge effects, interplay between chemical and physical effects
- Photocatalysis applications;
- Photoreactors: principles, design and operation;
- Radiation sources and radiation fields;
- Photocatalytic rate equations and mass transfer rates;
- Photoreactor modelling and design;
- Future development.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 40 | 1:00 | 40:00 | Study of Lecture Notes and completion of online activities |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 30 | 1:00 | 30:00 | Revision for, and completion of, mid-term online examination. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 25 | 1:00 | 25:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Examination |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 45 | 1:00 | 45:00 | Revision for, and completion of, final written examination. |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 50 | 1:00 | 50:00 | Engagement with reading list and research articles |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Tutorials |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will be used to introduce the theory. The small group teaching sessions are supervised activities in which the students apply the knowledge that they gain during lectures. Structure study will provide students with opportunity to engage with research and state of the art of technology developments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 75 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 25 | Ad hoc, in person, online test during the block. Invigilated. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Canvas quizzes with feedback throughout the module. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The quizzes will scaffold the student check on understanding of concepts and basic calculations throughout the module.
The online test will assess concepts and elementary calculations during the course to motivate student to wards continuous study (AHEP4 M1-3).
The final examinations will test the students capacity to carry out complex and design calculations and will test the theory, knowledge and practical design skills (AHEP4 M1-3, M17).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CME8417's Timetable