Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2011/12 |
|
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW20EX80 |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Supplementary assessment information not currently available (this will be added shortly) |
| Requisites:
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| Description:
| Aims: To review the broad spectrum of engineering materials used in energy and transport applications in terms of properties such as strength, stiffness, toughness, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, embodied energy and CO2 footprint. To characterise and compare the elastic, viscoelastic, thermal and electrical properties of these materials. To present case studies which examine the selection and application of materials in energy and transport applications. Learning Outcomes: After taking this unit the student will understand the properties of materials used in the energy and transport industries and their selection for critical applications. The student will appreciate the basis for the selection of materials for the generation of energy, for energy capture and for energy storage. The student will have an insight into the ability of materials to absorb energy and damp vibrations. The student will be conversant with the CES EduPack materials selection software and the University of Bath Inventory of Carbon and Energy database. Skills: Problem solving; practical; working independently. Content: The materials spectrum: Materials resources, classification in terms of mechanical, thermal and electrical properties, cost, embodied energy and CO2 footprint. Elastic properties: Stress and strain matrices, elastic stiffnesses and compliances, fully expanded Hooke's Law, isotropic materials (e.g. steel, glass), orthotropic materials (e.g. fibres, wires), thin orthotropic plates (e.g. composites, plywood). Viscoelastic properties: Time-, temperature- and frequency-dependence of the mechanical response of materials, including polymers, rubbers, fibres, foams and composites, creep, stress relaxation, hysteresis, damping, impact. Optical and electrical properties: Thermal and electrical conductivity, diffusivity, heat capacity, insulators, semi-conductors, transparency, spectrum of materials properties. Case studies will include some of the following topics and additional topics as materials technologies advance: Energy absorbing materials in transport: Rubbers, foams, honeycombs, viscoelastic gels with applications including tyres, crash-resistance, protective clothing and airbags. Materials for energy capture and storage: Passive heating, photovoltaics, semiconductors, phase change materials, fuel cells, batteries, flywheels. Materials for wind turbine blades: GFRP, CFRP, wood, fatigue, S-N curves, constant life diagrams, complex loads, HAWTs, VAWTs. Glassy materials for energy capture and control: Passive solar, photovoltaics, photochromic and electrochromic devices, optical systems including lenses, display technology, nuclear waste encapsulation, optical fibres. Low carbon materials: Natural materials, biopolymers, biofibres versus synthetic fibres, biocomposites. Applications in the automotive and energy industries. Nuclear materials: Nuclear technologies, uranium, fuel rods and casings, radiation protection, waste treatment and disposal. Materials for energy transmission: Steel, copper, glass, overhead powerlines, insulators, gas turbines, transformers. Hydrogen storage: Adsorption of hydrogen on nanoporous carbons for sustainable energy conversion systems. |
| Programme availability: |
ME40329 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Mechanical Engineering
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