Physics of Energy Materials

This course focuses on the fundamental and applied physics of energy materials. Physics is key to the development of sustainable energy systems, since these depend on innovative application of physical properties and new solid state materials in devices that efficiently generate, harvest, convert or store energy. Four major topics are discussed, namely the physics of (1) Magnetocaloric Materials, (2) Solar Energy Materials, (3) Fusion Energy Materials, (4) Lithium Battery Materials & Hydrogen Energy Storage Materials.

The physics underlying these topics ranges from magnetism, phase transitions and (spin-dependent) electronic structure in magnetocaloric materials, the detailed balance limit to the efficiency of solar cells, quantum cutting of photons and multiple exciton generation in third generation solar cells, diffusion and drift of ions and electrons in Li/Na battery nanomaterials, to the physics of materials under extreme conditions such as plasma-surface interactions in the development of suitable plasma-facing walls for ITER, the international fusion reactor. Examples of modern research will be provided, where new insights often rely on the application of advanced structure and dynamics analysis tools such as synchrotron X-ray and neutron diffraction, high resolution electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, opto-electronic spectroscopies, positron annihilation spectroscopy, and on comparison to theory based on thermodynamic models, ab-initio calculations and molecular dynamics.