2020 Faculty Courses School of Engineering Department of Mechanical Engineering Graduate major in Energy Science and Engineering

Recent technologies of fuel cells, solar cells butteries and energy system

Academic unit or major: Graduate major in Energy Science and Engineering
Instructor(s): Manabu Ihara / Akira Yamada / Masaaki Hirayama / Shinsuke Miyajima
Class Format: Lecture (Zoom)
Media-enhanced courses: -
Day of week/Period (Classrooms): Intensive
Class: -
Course Code: ENR.B431
Number of credits: 100
Course offered: 2020
Offered quarter: 2Q
Syllabus updated: Jul 10, 2025
Language: English

Syllabus

Course overview and goals

This course focuses on 1) understanding the recent technologies of fuel cells, solar cell batteries, and energy systems. All classes are arranged such that students who do not have special knowledge of each energy technology can still understand. This course intends for students to comprehensively study recent energy technologies.

Course description and aims

At the end of this course, students will be able to understand and explain recent energy technologies.

Keywords

solar cells, fuel cells, lithium ion batteries, smart energy system

Competencies

Specialist skills
Intercultural skills
Communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

In the first class, the instructor gives an overview of the course. All classes are arranged such that even students who do not have special knowledge of each energy technology can understand them. The instructor takes attendance every class.

Course schedule
1. 10:45~12:25 on 15th July (Prof. Kazuhiko Maeda)
2. 13:30~15:10 on 15th July (Prof. Shinsuke Miyajima)
3. 10:45~12:25 on 16rd July (Prof. Hidetoshi Matsumoto)
4. 13:30~15:10 on 16th July (Prof. Takanori Tamaki)
5. 10:45~12:25 on 17th July (Prof. Masaaki Hirayama)
6. 13:30~15:10 on 17th July (Prof. Tetsuo Kodera)
7. 10:45~12:25 on 20th July (Prof. Takashi Sasabe)

Course schedule/Objectives

	Course schedule	Objectives
Class 1	Photocatalytic materials for energy production (Prof. Kazuhiko Maeda)： Fundamental chemistry of photocatalysis for conversion of light energy into chemical energy will be studied, with a focus on water splitting and CO2 fixation reactions. Several topics in materials developments and reaction mechanism will be given.	Understand chemistry of photocatalysis for light energy conversion in terms of both thermodynamics and kinetics
Class 2	Silicon solar cells (Prof. Shinsuke Miyajima)： This lecture provides the basics of silicon solar cells. The structure, materials and fabrication techniques are outlined in details.	Understand the basics of silicon solar cells.
Class 3	One-dimensional (1-D) nanomaterials for energy device applications (Prof. Hidetoshi Matsumoto)： this lecture deals with unique properties of 1-D nanomaterials including nanofibers and their applications for high-functional devices including supercapacitors, secondary batteries, and organic photovoltaics.	Understand the characteristics of 1-D nanomaterials and applications in energy conversion and storage devices.
Class 4	Systematic material design for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (Prof. Takanori Tamaki)： Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) were commercialized for residential and automobile applications. However, a revolutionary improvement in the materials are essential for development and dissemination of this technology. Role of PEFCs in global warming issues and the systematic material design of PEFCs will be discussed.	Understand a basic guideline to design materials used for PEFCs.
Class 5	Electrochemical energy storage devices (Prof. Masaaki Hirayama)： Fundamental science and developmental technology of electrochemical energy storage devices will be studied. After a brief review of battery science and technology, several topics in Materials developments, Reaction mechanism, and Development of new energy devices will be indicated.	Understand battery science and technology and research target for the future devices in order to satisfy the social demands
Class 6	Quantum technologies for energy saving (Prof. Tetsuo Kodera)： This lecture provides the basics of physics and device characteristics of advanced electron devices utilizing quantum technologies, and issues for their applications.	Understand the physics and device characteristics of advanced electron devices utilizing quantum technologies.
Class 7	Polymer electrolyte fuel cell technology (Prof. Takashi Sasabe)： Understand electrochemical system and structure of fuel cell.　Recent and future study on fuel cell would be demonstrated.	Understand electro-chemical system and structure of fuel cell.

Study advice (preparation and review)

Textbook(s)

None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Course materials are provided when necessary.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Evaluation will be based on a reporting assignment or the quiz which is assigned during the classes.

Related courses

ENR.A401 ： Interdisciplinary scientific principles of energy 1
ENR.A402 ： Interdisciplinary scientific principles of energy 2
ENR.A403 ： Interdisciplinary principles of energy devices 1
ENR.A404 ： Interdisciplinary principles of energy devices 2
ENR.A405 ： Interdisciplinary Energy Materials Science 1
ENR.A406 ： Interdisciplinary Energy Materials Science 2
ENR.A407 ： Energy system theory

Prerequisites

No prerequisites.