Caricamento in corso...
Batteries and Fuel Cells for Energy Transition
01HMEMW, 01HMEND, 01HMEXE
A.A. 2025/26
Course Language
Inglese
Degree programme(s)
Master of science-level of the Bologna process in Ingegneria Chimica E Dei Processi Sostenibili - Torino
Master of science-level of the Bologna process in Ingegneria Energetica E Nucleare - Torino
Master of science-level of the Bologna process in Ingegneria Chimica E Dei Processi Sostenibili - Torino
Borrow
06OZNND 06OZNXY
Course structure
| Teaching | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lezioni | 45 |
| Esercitazioni in aula | 12 |
| Esercitazioni in laboratorio | 3 |
Lecturers
| Teacher | Status | SSD | h.Les | h.Ex | h.Lab | h.Tut | Years teaching |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specchia Stefania | Professore Ordinario | ICHI-02/A | 30 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Co-lectures
Context
| SSD | CFU | Activities | Area context | ING-IND/23 ING-IND/25 |
2 4 |
D - A scelta dello studente D - A scelta dello studente |
A scelta dello studente A scelta dello studente |
|---|
2025/26
The aims to illustrate the fundamental aspects of electrochemistry applied to process engineering, in order to discuss the applications of greatest interest in the sectors of electrochemical energy conversion and electrochemical power sources.
Practical classes with exercises coupled with laboratories will allow students to gain knowledge on the design of such systems. In the case of lockdown or only online classes (instead of onsite classes) for sanitary reasons, practical classes and laboratories will be substituted by online seminars with experts on electrochemical energy conversion and electrochemical power sources systems.
The aim of the course is to illustrate the fundamental aspects of electrochemistry applied to process engineering, with a specific focus on batteries and fuel cells for energy transition and transport.
Practical lessons with exercises combined with workshops, visits to companies and seminars with experts in the field will enable students to gain knowledge on battery and fuel cell design.
The students will learn the basic fundamental aspects of electrochemistry as a brief introduction, followed by a deep insight on
electrochemical energy conversion and electrochemical power sources systems. The students will be able to choose the most appropriate electrochemical system for any thechological application, by critically consider the use of various electrode configurations (materials, position, three-dimensional factors, electro-catalytic aspects) and the most suitable design process.
Students will learn the fundamentals of electrochemistry as a brief introduction, followed by an in-depth look at batteries and fuel cells, with a specific focus on transport and the energy transition to the decarbonisation targets dictated by the European Commission. Students will be able to choose the most appropriate type of battery or fuel cell for any technological application, critically considering various aspects (application, durability, recharging, refuelling), the most suitable design and the choice of critical raw materials with their recycling (lithium, heavy and noble metals, transition metals). This course lays the foundation for more specific courses that can be chosen later.
The students must possess basic information of mathematics, physics, physical thermodynamics, chemistry, and materials properties.
Students must have a basic knowledge of mathematics, physics, thermodynamics, chemistry and material properties.
The course will be subdivided int these topics:
1. Basic Principles (cell potential and thermodynamics; electrochemical kinetics; transport phenomena; analysis of electrochemical systems).
2. Fuel-Cell (fundamentals; applications: stack and system design).
3. Batteries (fundamentals; applications: cell and battery pack design).
4. Electrochemical reactors (redox-flow batteries; photoelectrochemical cells; energy storage and conversion systems). (Hybrid and Electrical Vehicles)
The course will be divided into these topics:
1. Basic principles (cell potential and thermodynamics; electrochemical kinetics; transport phenomena; analysis of electrochemical systems).
2. Fuel cells (fundamentals; applications: stack design, materials and systems; different types of fuel cells depending on application; degradation and ageing phenomena).
3. Batteries (fundamentals; applications: cells, materials, different types of batteries depending on application, future technologies, recovery and recycling of raw materials).
The course will be teached by Prof. Specchia (basic principles, fuel-cells, and electrochemical reactors) and prof. Bodoardo (batteries).
theoretical classes + practical exercises + laboratories.
The course will be taught in English by Prof. Specchia (basic principles, fuel-cells) and Prof. Bodoardo (batteries).
Theoretical classes + practical exercises + laboratories/visits to companies.
The course will be taught in English by Prof. Specchia (basic principles, fuel cells) and Prof. Bodoardo (batteries).
Theoretical lectures + practical exercises + workshops/visits to labs & companies.
In princile the course will delivered onsite, in English:
- 45 h theoretical lessons (30 h Prof. Specchia, 15 h Prof. Bodoardo)
- 12 h exercises on topcis developed during theoretical lessons
- 3 h laboratories for pratical experiences on fuel cellsna dn batteries.
In the case of lockdown, or sanitary restrictions, the course will be delivered online through Virtual Classes. Exercises and laboratories will be substituted with a series of online seminars with experts on electrochemical energy conversion and electrochemical power sources systems.
The course will be delivered onsite, in English:
- 45 h theoretical lessons (30 h Prof. Specchia, 15 h Prof. Bodoardo).
- 15 h exercises/laboratories/seminars on fuel cells and batteries.
The course will be held onsite, in English:
- 45 h of theoretical lectures (30 h Prof. Specchia, 15 h Prof. Bodoardo).
- 15 hrs of exercises/workshops/seminars on fuel cells and batteries.
The teachers will provide pdf copies of the slides used during the lessons, covering all the topics.
Suggested books (not compulsory, only for consultancy):
- K. Jüttner, Technical Scale of Electrochemistry, in Encyclopedia of Electrochemistry, Edited by A.J. Bard and M. Stratmann Vol. 5 Electrochemical Engineering. Edited by Digby D. Macdonald and Patrik Schmuki Copyright 2007, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. ISBN: 978-3-527-30397-7.
- D.R. Crow, Principles and applications of Electrochemistry, 1994, 4th edition, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton FL USA, ISBN: 978-0-7514-0168-4
- J. O'M. Bockris, A.K.N. Reddy, M. Gamboa-Aldeco, Modern Electrochemistry: Fundamentals of Electrodics, 2002, Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN: 0-306-46166-8
- J. Larminie, A. Dicks, Fuel Cell Systems Explained, Second Edition, 2003, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, England , ISBN: 0-470-84857-X
The lecturers will provide pdf copies of the slides used during the lectures, covering all topics.
Suggested books (not compulsory, for advice only)
- K. Jüttner, Technical Scale of Electrochemistry, in Encyclopedia of Electrochemistry, Edited by A.J. Bard and M. Stratmann Vol. 5 Electrochemical Engineering. Edited by Digby D. Macdonald and Patrik Schmuki Copyright 2007, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. ISBN: 978-3-527-30397-7.
- D.R. Crow, Principles and applications of Electrochemistry, 1994, 4th edition, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton FL USA, ISBN: 978-0-7514-0168-4
- J. O'M. Bockris, A.K.N. Reddy, M. Gamboa-Aldeco, Modern Electrochemistry: Fundamentals of Electrodics, 2002, Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN: 0-306-46166-8
- J. Larminie, A. Dicks, Fuel Cell Systems Explained, Second Edition, 2003, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, England , ISBN: 0-470-84857-X
Slides;
Lecture slides;
Modalità di esame: Elaborato progettuale in gruppo;
Exam: Group project;
...
Students will be subdivided into groups. Each group will choose a topic from the theoretical lessons and will deliver a group presentation on the selected topic, by illustrating the theoretical concepts, and a practical application, to show the acquired knowledge and technical skills.
The presentation must be delivered by the whole group, highlighting the contributions of each single student of the group.
The evaluation of the preswentation and the following descussion is expressed in thirtieths and is done considering a) the correctness of the concepts expressed; b) the relevance of the information provided, c) the ability to respond clearly, precisely and rationally to questions of the teachers. In the case of particularly brilliant answers, the laude can be assigned.
Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.
Exam: Group project;
Students will be divided into groups. Each group will choose a topic from the theoretical lectures and give a group presentation on the selected topic, illustrating the theoretical concepts and a practical application, to show the knowledge and technical skills acquired.
The presentation must be made in English by the entire group, highlighting the contributions of each individual student in the group.
The evaluation of the presentation and subsequent discussion is expressed in thirtieths and is carried out by considering:
a) the correctness of the concepts expressed, within the given timeframe;
b) the relevance of the information provided;
c) the ability to respond clearly, accurately and rationally to the lecturers' questions.
In the case of particularly brilliant answers, honours may be awarded.
In the event that some students are unable to give the group presentation (students on mobility abroad, for example): the examination consists of a theoretical written text paper of two questions: one on batteries and the other on fuel cells.
In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.