The aims of the module are:
• To provide an introduction of the application of nanomaterials in energy systems
• To show how nanomaterials have wide use relevant to catalysis, plasmonic heating, thermal and hydrogen energy storage materials.
• To illustrate fundamental material aspects of carbons in energy storage
• To introduce basic semiconductor materials used for energy storage
• To demonstrate some routine methods of nanoparticle synthesis

(LO1) Ability to describe the desirable material properties in metals, polymers, inorganic salts, semiconductors and carbons for energy harvesting and storage.

(LO2) Ability to discuss the advantages of nanomaterials in energy generation, thermal and hydrogen energy storage systems making logical conclusions.

(LO3) Ability to demonstrate the application of nanomaterials in the diverse energy systems.

(LO4) Ability to show understanding of different chemical processes in thermal and electrical energy storage

(LO5) Ability to discuss principles and limitations of nanomaterials in renewable energy storage.

Lectures. Delivery of the course will be through 12 online lectures.

Tutorials. These will include discussion of problems in the fields of properties of nanomaterials, examples of the application of nanomaterials for energy storage, and perspectives of nanomaterial applications for renewable energy. The in-person whole class tutorials are designed to mirror the lecture content to support understanding of the materials.
Tutorial 1. General analysis of the perspectives for nanomaterials application for storage of renewable energy: comparison between nanomaterials and conventional materials, changes in efficiency of the energy storage; thermal energy storage.
Tutorial 2. Perspectives for the application of the host-guest nanostructures for energy storage: general definition of host-guest nanostructures, types of energy which can be stored in host-guest nanostructures, encapsulation.
Tutorial 3. Nanomaterials in photocatalytic systems, hydrogen storage, synthesis of n anomaterials for energy applications
Possible applications of energy nanomaterials in other fields of materials science: biosystems, self-regulating autonomic nanostructures (nanorobots), nanosensors. Tutorials will be held after lectures 4, 7 and 11.

Coursework. Students get the assignment questions at the latest two weeks before the tutorial, with a deadline of one week before the tutorial for submitting their written answers; their submissions are marked before the tutorial and the answers then discussed at the tutorial.

*Lectures: 12 hr
*Tutorials: 3 hr

The module is focused on the study of the application of nanomaterials in renewable energy systems: plasmonics, batteries and thermal energy storage, hydrogen storage. The materials in scope are organic nanocages and semiconductors, heat capacitors, carbon-based materials, graphene, porous inorganic nanomaterials and supported catalysts for biofuel production. Particular emphasis will be placed on the reasons why nanomaterials are desirable for use in renewable energy systems.
The module will cover the following topics:
- Introduction of the application of nanomaterials in energy systems.
- Nanomaterials for thermal energy storage.
- Nanomaterials for hydrogen storage.
- Nanomaterials in batteries and supercapacitors.
- Composite nanomaterials for polyenergy storage.
- General methods for nanomaterial synthesis.
- Analytical tools for characterisation of nanomaterials.