This module is concerned with chemical aspects of the production and utilisation of energy. It includes discussion of a range of energy sources, and the materials required for their exploitation.

1. carry out simple energy calculations and translate between unit types;
2. understand the forms of energy in currently in use, their advantages, disadvantages and environmental impact;
3. appreciate the need for alternatives, and to describe these alternatives;
4. interconvert wavelength and energy;
5. calculate heats of combustion of fossil fuels and organic molecules generally;
6. calculate power outputs from different forms of alternative energy, thermal efficiency and the Carnot factor;
7. describe the properties of nucleii and radionucleides, forms of nuclear decay, the basic concepts of fission and fusion, the operation of fission reactors and components;
8. describe the origin of band theory in solids and use it to explain the electrical conductivity properties of solids and the influence of temperatures on these properties;
9. distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors and explain what is meant by and the significance of n-type and p-type semiconductors;
10. explain the steps that are used by the modern semiconductor industry to produce high-purity single crystal electronic grade silicon from crude silica;
11. understand the chemical reactions used to prepare compound semiconductors and the properties of suitable precursor compounds;
12. explain the MBE and CVD processes used to prepare semiconductor materials and the way devices are prepared using these techniques;
13. understand the principles behind simple semiconductor devices such as diodes and transistors and how they can be used in devices such as LEDs and photovoltaic cells.

16 x 1h lectures, 5 x 3h workshops

A written exam (1 h) will test the student's knowledge and understanding as elaborated under the learning outcomes. The coursework (workshops and assignments) will allow the student to demonstrate his/her ability to judge and critically review relevant information.

Energy and Chemical Transformation

Forms of Chemical Energy, usage and environmental impact, ‘clean’ energy

Fossil fuels and alternative forms of energy

Solar energy, hydroelectric, wind power, waterpower

Nuclear fission and fusion

Hydrogen

Materials for energy utilisation – metals, semiconductors, insulators. Introduction to Band theory of solids, origin of bands and band gaps; conduction, temperature effect, introduction to Fermi level and Fermi functions.

Semiconductors – intrinsic and extrinsic, n- and p-doping. Construction of transistors and diodes and their use in semiconductor devices.

Preparation of semiconductor silicon – purification of crude silica, introduction to required degree of purity, purification to produce electronic grade polycrystalline silicon, zone refining, growth of single crystals.

MBE and CVD equipment and how they are used in the preparation of compound semiconductors.

An up-to-date indicative reading list will be included in the Course Handbook.