Course coordinator
Professor Kazuhiro Nogita
Email your concerns related to the course to Prof Nogita anytime. Face-to-Face meetings available on request.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mech & Mine Engineering School
Energy storage and conversion materials hold the key to many advanced renewable energy technologies including photo-voltaic systems, lithium-ion and next-generation batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and storage, and superconducting magnetic energy storage. With the increasing need for safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods of energy storage and conversion, it is necessary to accelerate the rate at which energy-related materials are developed. Materials science is an essential enabling technology for emerging renewable technologies. Often, engineering solutions for the energy challenges facing society are constrained by the materials technologies available. This is especially true for energy storage and conversion materials. The aim of this course on Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage is to help future engineers create and develop new materials solutions to meet this global challenge.
This course will introduce materials for energy conversion and storage, includingﾠ (i) Li-ion & next-generation batteries,ﾠ (ii) Hydrogen fuel cell & storage, (iii) Solar cells ﾠand other emerging technologies of importance. Students will learn and demonstrate knowledge ofﾠthese materials through lectures, hands-on experience, independent assessment and direct interactions with world leading R&D institutes/industries. After successful completion of the course, students will have the ability to design ﾠand createﾠ material related solutions for energy conversion and storage for current and future demands for renewable energy technologies.
Course requirements
Assumed background
major-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;mso-bidi-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-bidi-font-weight:bold">Although there are no pre-requisites for this course, we assume that the student would have a materials background, such as fundamentals of materials physics and chemistry, and general knowledge of solidification and crystallography.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Yusuke Yamauchi
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to help future engineers create and develop new materials solutions to meet the global challenges relating to sustainable energy supply and demand. The focus of the course is on materials integral to battery, hydrogen and solar technologies, the constraints imposed by material limitations and the potential opportunities associated with material developments.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Li-ion & next-generation batteries - Understand the comprehensive and in-depth principles and procedures of electrode preparation for manufacturing Li ion batteries
LO2.
Li-ion & next-generation batteries - Classify electrode materials and evaluate them for battery applications
LO3.
Li-ion & next-generation batteries - Evaluate porous and non-porous carbon/non-carbon based electrodes and assess them for battery applications
LO4.
Li-ion & next-generation batteries - Design and characterise industry scale Li-ion batteries and construct and analyse demonstration cells
LO5.
Li-ion & next-generation batteries - Investigate the challenging issues in relation to material selection and manufacturing processes limiting advances in Li-ion batteries
LO6.
Li-ion & next-generation batteries - Develop capability in analysing and critically reviewing literature and recommend optimum solutions for next-generation high performance battery development
LO7.
Hydrogen fuel cell & storage - Understand the comprehensive and in-depth concepts of hydrogen fuel cells and storage for grid integration as a renewable energy source
LO8.
Hydrogen fuel cell & storage - Analyse and evaluate the materials and components of fuel cells and hydrogen storage systems
LO9.
Hydrogen fuel cell & storage - Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of how engineers and scientists have developed fuel cell and hydrogen storage materials
LO10.
Hydrogen fuel cell & storage - Demonstrate a comprehensive insight of the fuel cell and hydrogen storage R&D challenges and industry market opportunities
LO11.
Hydrogen fuel cell & storage - Develop capability to work individually and in a group setting in analysing and critically reviewing literature and recommend optimal solutions for next-generation high performance fuel cells and hydrogen storage applications
LO12.
Solar cells - Understand and evaluate photovoltaic technologies and develop a comprehensive and in-depth understand of the working mechanisms of nanostructured solar cells
LO13.
Solar cells - Demonstrate a comprehensive insight of the photovoltaic R&D challenges and industry
LO14.
Solar cells - Analyse and evaluate the material components of nanostructured solar cells
LO15.
Solar cells - Recognise and comprehend how engineers and scientists have developed functional materials and fabrication techniques for new-generation photovoltaic technology
LO16.
Solar cells - Gain hands-on experience in the fabrication of nanostructured solar cells, and enhanced ability in analysing data and critically reviewing the published literature using knowledge learnt in the lectures and lab practice.
LO17.
Solar cells - Develop capability in analysing and reviewing literature data critically and recommend best possible solutions for next-generation high performance photovoltaic technologies
LO18.
Zinc Bromine Flow Batteries (ZBFB) - Understand the mechanism of ZBFB operation and their physical functional components in terms of their electrochemistry and potential applications
LO19.
Zinc Bromine Flow Batteries (ZBFB) - Evaluate the selection of materials for ZBFB and key difference of electrochemistry between ZBFB and other existing static battery technologies.
LO20.
Zinc Bromine Flow Batteries (ZBFB) - Assess the large scale applications and competitive advantages of ZBFB over other energy storage system such as Li ion battery.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Solar Cells - project report | 20% |
27/03/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project | Li-ion & next generation Li-ion battery - project report | 20% |
1/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Hydrogen fuel cells & storage - presentation
|
10% |
Abstract and presentation slides - 19/05/2025 4:00 pm Presentation during the workshop on 22/05/2025 |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Solar Cells - project report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
27/03/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
In recent years, organic-inorganic halide perovskite materials as light harvesters for new-generation nanostructured photovoltaic application have been attracting tremendous attention in both scientific and industrial communities. The certified power conversion efficiency has skyrocketed from 3.8% to 25.0%, owing to the materials’ intriguing optoelectronic properties such as high absorption coefficient, high charge carrier mobility and lifetime, and long carrier diffusion length. To further improve the photovoltaic performance, the incorporation of a passivation layer at the interfaces of perovskite layer and charge transport layers has been recognized as an effective strategy to minimize the efficiency loss by suppressing the undesirable non-radiative recombination. In this laboratory practice, you will fabricate perovskite crystalline film through an antisolvent-assist one-step deposition method on passivation layer-coated substrates, followed by charge transport layer and metal electrode deposition. The photovoltaic performance of the completed devices will be evaluated.
The laboratory practice will be conducted in four sessions: TiO2 electrode deposition (demonstration), passivation layer coating (practical), perovskite film fabrication (demonstration), hole transport layer and metal electrode deposition (demonstration), and property measurements (practical). You will work in groups of 3 or 4 students. Within each group, you will share the data obtained from the laboratory practice. However, each student is required to write an independent report.
Information will be provided on Blackboard.
Permitted use of Generative AI and MT for this assessment
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
To facilitate timely feedback to students.
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Electronic Course Profile (ECP), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Li-ion & next generation Li-ion battery - project report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
1/05/2025 4:00 pm
Task description
In this laboratory practical, Li-ion coin cells with two different anode materials, i. a commercial graphite anode, and ii. an advanced Sn-based anode, will be manufactured with Li metal as counter electrodes. The microstructure of the two electrodes will be characterized with a tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS); while the electrochemical properties of the manufactured coin cells will be characterized with an electrochemical workstation. The electrode materials will be prepared by the demonstrator. The laboratory practical will consist of (i) SEM/EDS observation of the electrode materials; (ii) preparation of the electrodes; (iii) manufacturing of the coin cells, and (iv) electrochemical characterisation of the manufactured coin cells on an electrochemical workstation. Students will share the data obtained from the laboratory practical. However, each student is required to write and submit a report independently.
Specific details for the prac will be available on Blackboard.
Permitted use of Generative AI and MT for this assessment
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
To facilitate timely feedback to students.
A Student Access Plan (SAP) can only be used for a first extension. Extensions based on an SAP may be granted for up to seven (7) days, or the maximum number of days specified in the Electronic Course Profile (ECP), if it is less than seven (7) days. Any further extensions will require additional supporting documentation, such as a medical certificate.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Hydrogen fuel cells & storage - presentation
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral, Written
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Abstract and presentation slides - 19/05/2025 4:00 pm
Presentation during the workshop on 22/05/2025
Task description
This assessment mimics an international conference. You will submit your individual unique abstract (short summary report for presentation) and group presentation slides (although these will be identical within a group, individual submission is still required) before the presentation. All audiences (students and staff of MATE7016) can read your abstract before your presentation, then based on this abstract, your group will deliver/present your findings to the audiences. You are required to work individually on the abstract but in groups for the presentation, a topic of your choice related to hydrogen fuel cell & storage. You may choose to present a technical topic (eg. hydrogen fuel cell & storage materials related) or a topic related to applications of fuel cell & hydrogen storage (eg. case study of a particular product/application).
Please refer to Blackboard for a detailed marking criteria.
Permitted use of Generative AI and MT for this assessment
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
In approved circumstances, abstract and presentation slides ONLY: maximum of two (2) days as they must be submitted prior to the presentation.
Students who are unable to attend the scheduled presentation in approved circumstances, will be contacted with alternative information.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Oral presentation is scheduled and is time limited.
Results and feedback from presentation are released in the workshop.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025
Task description
The final exam will comprehensively test knowledge learned during the course.
Format: Short answer, Short essay, Extended essay, Problem solving
Permitted use of Generative AI and MT for this assessment
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
A minimum of 40% must be achieved on the final exam to receive a passing grade.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0.00 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30.00 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45.00 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50.00 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 40% or higher on the final examination. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65.00 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 40% or higher on the final examination. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75.00 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 40% or higher on the final examination. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85.00 - 100.00 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 40% or higher in the final examination. |
Additional course grading information
A minimum of 40% must be achieved on the final exam to receive a passing grade.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Assessment items submitted using the Turnitin link on the course Blackboard site, will check your work for evidence of plagiarism, collusion, and other forms of academic misconduct.ﾠ
A failure to reference AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Information will be provided in the Learning Resources ﾠsection ofﾠ Blackboard.
Laboratory access
Students must have completed the Student Laboratory Safety Induction, Annual Fire Safety Training and Health Safety and Wellness (HSW) to a specific laboratory induction, all accessed via Blackboard.
If you require access for experimental work, then register for an induction by searching for that laboratory at the following link: https://student.eait.uq.edu.au/urite/
Additional requirements to be inducted into each laboratory will be listed on that link.
Students can also check their HSW training card here: https://student.eait.uq.edu.au/safe
Access to laboratories will be granted after all of the specific laboratory requirements have been met.
If you have any enquiries regarding HSW please contact the School’s Technical Services Team on labsupport@mechmining.uq.edu.au.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Introduction Prof Kazuhiro Nogita is the lecturer of this week. |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Lecture |
Solar Cells - UQ solar facilities & Guest lecture Dr Peng Chen/ Prof Nogita/ Dr Xiaodong Ma (Guest) are the lecturer of this week. |
Practical |
Fabrication of Solar Cells Dr Peng Chen and a member of the teaching team are the lecturer of this week. |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Practical |
Property measurements of Solar Cells Dr Peng Chen and a member of the teaching team. |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Lecture |
Solar Cells Dr Peng Chen is the lecturer of this week. |
Fieldwork |
UQ Warwick Solar Farm tour Professor Kazuhiro Nogita is the lecturer of this week. The UQ Warwick Solar Farm tour is highly recommended, however is not compulsory. The scheduled Week 4 (Sat 22nd March) UQ Warwick Solar Farm tour has a capacity for maximum 34 students. If more than 34 students express an interest in this tour a second tour will be scheduled for Week 6 (Sat 5th April). |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Fundamentals of LIB Dr Md Shariar Hossain/ Prof Yusuke Yamauchi are the lecturer of this week. |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Lecture |
Advanced materials for LIB Prof Yusuke Yamauchi/ Dr Md Shariar Hossain are the lecturer of this week. |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Practical |
LIB manufacturing and analysis Dr Xin Fu Tan, Dr Md Shariar Hossain and a member of the teaching team are the lecturer of this week. |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Lecture |
Fundamental of Flow Battery/video prac Dr Md Shahriar Hossain is the lecturer of this week. Learning outcomes: L18, L19, L20 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Fundamentals of FC materials Dr Xiaodan Huang is the lecturer of this week. |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Lecture |
Fundamentals of H2 storage materials Dr Xin Fu Tan/Prof Kazuhiro Nogita/ Prof Stephen Lyth (Guest) are the lecturer of this week. |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Lecture |
Case Study of H2 storages in industries Prof Kazuhiro Nogita/Dr Xin Fu Tan are the lecturer of this week. |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Workshop |
FC and H2 strage materials Student presentations (All students). MC by Prof Kazuhiro Nogita, Dr Xiaodan Huang and Dr Xin Fu Tan. |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Revision All lecturers |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.