CHY8428 : Energy and Materials
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Eimer Tuite
- Lecturer: Dr Ben Horrocks, Dr Fabio Cucinotta, Dr Elizabeth Gibson
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
Chemistry underpins many areas of science, and its interdisciplinary application links to fields of strategic global importance.
This module discusses the role of modern advances in physical chemistry in relation to four contemporary research issues.
Applications of physical chemistry research are illustrated by examples in the fields of renewable energy, climate change, sensors, and molecular medicine.
Outline Of Syllabus
Supramolecular Photochemistry - Dr Fabio Cucinotta
1. Lessons from nature: photosynthesis.
2. Design of artificial photosystems.
3. Assembling hybrid structures.
4. Photophysical measurements and techniques.
5. Supramolecular opto-electronics.
6. Review of course and preparation for assignment.
Solar Cells - Dr Libby Gibson
1. Light absorption
2. Solar cell devices
3. Dye sensitized solar cells
4. Improving the efficiency
5. The third generation: tandem cells and quantum dots
6. Review of course and preparation for assignment.
Electrochemistry - Dr Ben Horrocks
1. Electrochemical cells, instrumentation and interfaces
2. Mass transfer and electrode kinetics
3. Steady state voltammetry;
4. Transient methods;
5. Electrochemical mechanisms and Probe microscopy
6. Review of course and preparation for assignment.
Biophysical Chemistry - Dr Eimer Tuite
1. Introduction to biopolymers and molecular recognition
2. Thermodynamics and kinetics
3. Optical spectroscopy
4. Polarized spectroscopy
5. Hydrodynamic techniques
6. Review of course and preparation for assignment.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Presentation of taught material |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 16:00 | 16:00 | In course assessment of module |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Research papers will be available for reading around the topics within the module |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Each lecturer available during teaching weeks to discuss individually any questions students have |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Background reading of all topics within the module |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students acquire knowledge and understanding of the specific topics through online lecture material and additional reading on the topics.
Students will gain deeper insight into the topics through researching the literature for in-course assessment.
Each lecturer will be available for drop-in sessions to accompany their lectures where students can have queries clarified.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 100 | Set of 4 problem solving exercises to complete in a week |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students will individually complete unseen problem solving exercises related to the material presented in each lecture course. Students will be assessed on their understanding of the taught material and their ability to use it to solve new problems.
Study Abroad students may request to take their exam before the semester 1 exam period, in which case the format of the paper may differ from that shown in the MOF. Study Abroad students should contact the school to discuss this.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CHY8428's Timetable