Skip to main content

SEE606A: ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS

Course Description

This course is about electrochemical energy systems, e.g., batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, etc. which are crucial sustainable energy systems for greener energy economy. 

Course Content

  1. Introductions, course overview, overview of the energy problem.
  2. Fundamentals of electrochemistry and electrochemical cell. Half cell reactions.
  3. Thermodynamics and cell potential. Cell parameters: capacity, MTSE.
  4. Electrochemical reactions. Reaction kinetics. Kinetic losses.
  5. Transport phenomena in cells: Mass and charge transport, heat transfer.
  6. Batteries: Types of batteries, primary and secondary battery, reaction mechanisms, Chargedischarge and cycling behavior,
    • Conventional batteries: Cu, Ag etc.
    • Li-ion/Li-polymer batteries
  7. Fuel cells: Introduction. Types of fuel cells. Open circuit potentials. Physical mechanisms. Polarization losses and polarization curve.
    • Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells (PEMFCs)
    • Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (AEMFCs)
    • Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs)
  8. Supercapacitors

Outcomes of this Course

By the end of this course, you will be able to

  • Calculate the theoretical cell voltage of any redox pair and half-cell reaction
  • Calculate the reaction rate of an electrochemical reaction
  • Predict the performance of a fuel cell, battery, or supercapacitor
  • Perform basic design calculations for these devices
  • Understand the advantages and disadvantages of different electrochemical energy systems