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The objective of the CEE is to develop in the future a comprehensive education strategy that will prepare the students for an innovative career at the forefront of the multidisciplinary field of future fuels research, electrodepositing and corrosion. Figure 1 shows the proposed structure of this educational strategy, which includes: (i) coursework, (ii) training in oral and written technical communication skills, (iii) research internships in companies, national laboratories, and academic labs (both in the US and abroad), and (iv) outreach activities to the community. Each of these areas is addressed in the following paragraphs.
Major Coursework: Four courses (three core courses and one elective course) will be newly developed. The curriculum is made up of newly developed courses and already existing courses in the area of future fuels/next energy/materials electrodeposition. Details of selected curriculum are listed in Table 1. The students will have to satisfy the doctoral degree core and elective course requirements in their specific major. However, the students will be required to take several interdisciplinary courses specifically created for this program. The courses will be taught by a minimum of two professors from the participating research departments as indicated in Table 1. In addition, participation of recognized experts from academia, national laboratories and industries outside USC is suggested in the program. Particularly, distinguished professors from around the world will be invited and provide short courses that will introduce the students the cutting-edge aspects of the student major research effort.
Professional Development and Research Communications: A seminar course will be developed for the students called “Student as a Scholar”. This course will integrate issues of modern scholarly disciplinary expectations and professional productivity (publications, presentations, and dissertation) using the students’ individual research as the basis for instruction. The course will be taught by Professor Matthews (Chemical Engineering), with invited presentations from other faculty to present relevant topics. This seminar course will be modeled after a current course (GRAD 801: The Graduate Student as Scholar). In addition, we will also establish an Communications Studio (ICS), in which intensive small group communications instruction will be the vehicle for mentoring students’ scholarly growth and productivity.
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Selected IGERT Courses |
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Title |
Instructor |
Objective and Specific Topics |
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Introduction to Renewable Energy Processes |
J.A. Ritter • L. Marton • M.A. Matthews |
To introduce the principles for production, storage and conversion of renewable energy: • principal types of renewable energy - solar, biomass, hydro, wind, and geothermal • thermodynamics, chemistry, and transport processes in energy systems • thermomechanical, thermochemical and electrochemical processes in energy systems |
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Energy Materials Science & Engineering |
R.D. Adams • T. Vogt • R.A. Webb • B.N. Popov |
To introduce the current state-of-the-art in materials development for energy systems (including structure/function on the micro and nanoscale): • activated carbon • mixed metal oxides • nano-particles electrocatalysts • solid state ionic conducting (organic/ceramic) materials • photovoltaic materials |
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Next Energy (Energy for Sustainability) |
K.C. Elliot • M.M. McInnes • J.W. Weidner |
To introduce the political, social, technical and economic issues for energy future: This course will use the scientific literature, popular press, and government reports such as “Jump-Starting the Hydrogen Economy”, “Defusing the Global Warming Time Bomb”, “Hybrid Cars”, and “Hydrogen Storage and Its Limitation”. |
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Fuel Cells Technology & Engineering |
B.N. Popov • J.W. Van Zee • K.L. Reifsnider |
To introduce the basic science and engineering behind fuel cell technology: • fuel cell thermodynamics • electrochemical reaction kinetics • charge and mass transport • fuel cell systems • fuel cell characterizations and modeling • fuel cell integration design |
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Advances in Catalysis & Electrocatalysis |
M.D. Amiridis • C.T. Williams • D.A. Chen |
To introduce recent advances in nanoscale catalytic and electrocatalytic materials: • synthesis of nanoparticle catalysts • electronic and geometric properties of catalytic surfaces • experimental characterization techniques for novel catalytic materials |
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Molecular Simulation in Electrocatalysis |
J.P. Delhommelle • R.A. Webb |
To introduce the basic principles of quantum mechanical simulations and their applications in electrocatalysis: • statistical mechanics • Monte Carlo methods • adsorption isotherm prediction • Molecular Dynamics • prediction of transport properties and catalysis mechanism |
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Simulation Analysis, and Control of Energy Systems |
R.E. White • R.A. Dougal • E. Santi |
To introduce the basic concepts of computer modeling in multidisciplinary power and energy systems: • theory of mathematical formulations and computation • numerical simulation and data analysis • basic power electronics • control strategy for hybrid systems |
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Special Topics on Solid State Devices |
K.L. Reifsnider • A.P. Reynolds • X. Li • J.W. Weidner |
To introduce the basic concepts of future solid state devices/systems for energy production, storage and conversion: • advanced low- and high-temperature fuel cells • regenerative fuel cells • photoelectrochemical device • miniaturized electrochemical systems |
| Mission & Scope | Research Labs | List of Projects | Publications |
