Neutrons for the study of electrochemical processes, KTH and Uppsala University

English course title: PhD course in neutrons for the study of electrochemical processes
Dates:                        April 8 – June 20 2019
Location:                   KTH and Uppsala University
Credits:                      5 hp

Education level:       Third cycle
Subject area:            Neutron scattering, neutron spectroscopy
Grade scale:             Pass/fail

Description:
This course targets master and PhD students in the field of chemistry, physics, and engineering interested in applying neutron techniques to study electrochemical systems. The course contains a block of basic, general electrochemistry including an introductory lab. Then follows a second block on state-of-the-art electrochemical energy devices as well as a theory part on how to use neutrons to study electrochemical energy devices, including strategies on in operando and in situ cell design. There will be two physical meetings, one at KTH April 8-9 (block 1) and one in Uppsala May 20-21 (block 2), and the students will do home assignments before and after the physical meetings. The final examination will be problems discussed at an on-line seminar.

Learning outcomes:
After the completing the course the student should:

  • Understand basic electrochemical principles.
  • Describe different electrochemical energy devices.
  • Identify the challenges or questions existing in the research of electrochemical energy devices which neutron based analysis techniques can solve.
  • Identify the important parameters to take into account when designing electrochemical cells for a neutron analysis method

Course main content:
The course will be split into three main parts as detailed in the course description. The specifics of each part are as follows:

  • The three electrode cell, electrode kinetics, mass transfer in electrochemical systems, experimental methods, current distribution, cell design.
  • Batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells and electrolyzers.
  • Neutron depth profiling, neutron diffraction, small angle neutron scattering and quasi-inelastic neutron scattering as applied to solving electrochemical problems.

Preliminary schedule:

Date

Content

Place

08:15-10:00

10:15-12:00

13:15-15:00

15:15-17:00

April 8

Part I and II

KTH

Lecture 1:
3-electrode
cells

Lecture 2:
Electrode
kinetics

Lab

April 9

Lecture 3:
Mass transport

Lecture 4:
Experimental
methods

Lecture 5:
Current
distribution

Lecture 6:
Cell design

April 10

KTH

Lecture 7:
A brief  introduction to neutrons

May 17

Part II and III

UU

Tutorial:
On designing a neutron experiment

May 20

Part II and III

UU

Lecture 1: Batteries

Lecture 2: Batteries

Lecture 3: Supercapacitors

Lecture 4: Supercapacitors

May 21

Lecture 4:
Neutron depth profiling

Lecture 5:
Neutron diffraction

Lecture 6:
Small angle neutron scattering

Lecture 7: Quasi-elastic neutron scattering

Online based examination session: June 18th

Eligibility/Prerequisites:
Primary:        PhD students within SwedNess
Secondary:    Other PhD students at Swedish/Nordic institutions
Prior knowledge in neutron scattering is useful.

Examination:
The final examination is a task on design of electrochemical cells for a specific neutron technique, examined as a written report and active participation in an on-line session.

Pass/Fail: For Pass 80% attendance is required, the final examination passed and all home assignments handed in and approved.

Literature:
Electrochemistry by Wesley R. Browne, Oxford University Press 2018.
ISBN 9780198790907
or
Electrochemistry: The Basics, With Examples by Lefrou, Christine; Fabry, Pierre; Poignet, Jean-Claude 2012​. Available on-line at the university libraries.
Scientific papers to be specified, lecture notes.

Contact

Ann Cornell, amco@kth.se
William Brant, william.brant@kemi.uu.se

Last modified: 2022-11-24