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Energy Technologies for a Sustainable Future
Instructor(s): Bruce
Clemens
Prerequisites: High-school chemistry and physics.
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| Wondering what the buzz is about sustainability, renewable energy, and clean fuels? Meeting the world’s rowing energy needs in a sustainable fashion is one of the most pressing problems of our time. This class will introduce the scope of the energy problem and will define some of the options for sustainable energy. We will look into the scientific basis of sustainable energy technologies, such as solar cells, which convert the energy of the sun directly into electricity, and fuel cells, which convert chemical energy directly into electricity. Other topics will include biofuels, i.e., fuel derived from plant matter, and clean fuels such as hydrogen. The course will emphasize the fundamental science behind the devices and will highlight some of the cutting-edge technological issues that are currently being explored. Assigned reading will include books on global energy issues, as well as technical reading on the science and engineering of sustainable energy technologies. Students are expected to
participate in classroom discussions, attend field trips, complete homework assignments, and carry out aboratory experiments
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| Bruce Clemens is a professor of materials science and engineering, a member of the photon science faculty at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, and is also a
professor (by courtesy) in the applied physics department. He and his group work on thin films and nanostructured materials for electronic, magnetic, and energy applications, and have recently focused on
developing nanomaterials that use size to tune hydrogen storage properties. He and his group are also working to develop inexpensive solar cell materials. His hobbies include monitoring the output of the rooftop solar array on his campus home. |
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