General and Sustainable Chemistry

The general and sustainable chemistry class focuses on basic chemistry, materials design and their characterization in energy and environmental applications.
This course covers fundamental principles of chemistry and their application to sustainable energy and environmental technologies. The content includes chemical bonding, materials for energy production and storage, catalytic removal of air pollutants, biomass conversion to renewable fuels, hydrogen storage materials, and electrochemical energy systems. In addition, students investigate selected topics in energy and environmental technology through literature study, presentations, and discussion of recent research.

Modern society requires sustainable methods for energy production, storage, and environmental protection, and chemistry and materials engineering play a central role in developing such technologies. In this course, students will learn how fundamental chemical principles are applied to energy conversion and storage, pollution control, renewable resources, and advanced functional materials.

By completing this course, students will become fully aware of the role of chemistry and materials engineering in environmental protection and energy production. Students will acquire the ability to understand how materials and catalytic processes are designed and evaluated for energy and environmental applications, to interpret basic experimental and literature data in this field, and to connect fundamental chemistry with real-world technological challenges related to sustainability.

Through literature study, problem solving, and presentations, students will also develop skills in analyzing scientific information, discussing technical topics, and explaining the significance of chemical technologies in the context of global energy and environmental issues.
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The class is part of a joint degree program with AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland. Through this international framework, students will acquire the ability to work in multicultural teams and to understand scientific and technological solutions aimed at addressing global challenges related to energy and environmental protection.

1. Student knows and understands relationships between materials engineering, environmental engineering, energy engineering, and sustainability.
2. Student knows basis of heterogenous catalysis and its applications to air pollution control and production of a clean energy.
3. Student will be able to explain the principles of electrocatalysis, catalytic biomass conversion, and describe at least two methods used to evaluate materials for energy and environmental sustainability.
4. Student will be able to interpret and summarize basic experimental or literature data on energy or environmental materials, and present the key findings clearly in English in written or oral form.

English

Evaluation will be performed on the basis of class presentation, mid-term exam and final exam.

Presentation will contribute 20% to your grade.
Mid-term exam will contribute 40% to your grade.
Final exam will contribute 40% to your grade.

To pass the student must earn a total score of 60% or more.

Lecture handouts

Robert J. Naumann: Introduction to the physics and chemistry of materials, CRC Press 2009
Michael Bowker: The basis and applications of heterogeneous catalysis, Oxford University Press, 1998.
D. S. Ginley, D. Cahen, Fundamentals of Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Cambridge. 1st edition.

Undergraduate level background in chemistry and physics.

• Contact via e-mail, the e-mail addresses to Dr. Izabela Rzeznicka: izabela[at]shibaura-it.ac.jp

• Course that cultivates an ability for utilizing knowledge
• Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills

More than one class is interactive

• 3.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
• 4.QUALITY EDUCATION
• 7.AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
• 13.CLIMATE ACTION