To acquire basic understanding of the nanotechnology systems and materials which are relevant for energy applications, in particular of: - the methods for synthesis and growth of the nano-materials, their physical-chemical properties - the basic principles of the devices, the evaluation and the comparison of their performances, the technological steps for their fabrication - the principal characterization techniques for materials and devices

- General physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetisms, optics) - Fundamentals of chemistry, electronics and materials science

INTRODUCTION (0.5 ECTs) The energy challenge: overview of the worldwide panorama, discussion of the IEA and EU documents roadmaps, potential applications of nanotechnologies. ENERGY HARVESTING (2.5 ECTs) Photovoltaics: the basic principles and the characterization techniques. Solar cells:p-n junctions and thin films, nanotechnologies for 1st and 2nd generation, Dye sensitized, Organic and Perovskites solar cells. Piezoelectric Materials and Devices; Thermoelectrics; Fuel cells. Blue Energy � ENERGY STORAGE (1.5 ECTs) Supercapacitors for electrochemical storage; Solar water splitting and artiphicial photosynthesis reactors for H2 and/or biofuels production. EXPERIMENTAL LABORATORIES (1.5 ECTs) Safety rules in a lab; fabrication and characterization of photovoltaic devices; fabrication and characterization of supercapacitors

The course involves class lectures and few class exercises (for a total of 4.5 ECTs). Class exercises include simple problem solving activities, with strict connections to theoretical lectures. The experimental laboratory activity (1.5 ECTs) consists of an experimental "hands-on" session at Nanoscience Lab. of DISAT � Department of Applied Science and Technology, where students, in small groups and under professor supervision, will implement simple experiments on nanomaterials growth, on dye sensitized solar cells/supercapacitors assembly and characterizations of materials and devices. For the students that will not be able to follow the experimental lab a homework will be proposed. In case of long-distance teaching: - homeworks and exercises to be solved at home will be proposed at the end of the theoretical lessons, and will give the opportunity of gaining additional points on the final mark. - the experimental lab will be substituted by a "VIRTUAL LAB" in which (interactive) videos of the experiments and obtained experimental data will be given, for preparation of the reports.

Lecture notes and selected scientific papers given by the teacher Suggested books: - J.Garcia-Martinez ��Nanotechnology for the energy challenge�g,Ed. Wiley, 2013 - F.L. De Souza, E.R. Leite ��Nanoenergy: Nanotechnology Applied for Energy Production�h, Ed. Springer, 2014 - J.Lambauer, A. Voss, U. Fahl, ��Nanotechnology and Energy: Science, Promises and Limits�h, Pan Stanford Publ., Taylor & Francis, 2012

Exam: Compulsory oral exam;

The exam will be ORAL, and will consist of two parts: - questions on the subjects developed during the theoretical lessons of the course, and analysis of the results obtained in homeworks and exercises. The maximum obtainable mark in this part is 24/30. - analysis of the lab reports and oral discussion on the lab activity; the maximum obtainable mark in this part is 6/30 (that will be summed to the mark obtained in the first part).

Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam;

The written exam will consist in answering to two open questions on the subjects developed during the course. The duration will be 1h. The maximum obtainable mark in the written part is 24/30. The laboratory activity (as described in the report and as discussed during the oral) will give maximum 6 points to the mark obtained in the written part. The oral is MANDATORY. It will consist in a (brief) discussion of the written answers and of the report on the lab activity Also the oral can give additional points to the mark obtained in the written part.