UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

CHM2180 Materials for energy

Faculty of Science

CHM2180 Materials for energy is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2027 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points: 6
Offered in 2027: Semester 2; Clayton
Assessment: Exam 50%; and 2 other tasks
Workload: 144 hours; per semester

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to review CHM2180.

Requisites

Before CHM2180

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After CHM2180

No unit lists CHM2180 as a prerequisite in the 2027 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PROHIBITION: CHM3180

PREREQUISITE: CHM1011 or CHM1051 and CHM1022 or CHM1052

Overview

The unit explores the structure, property and design principles of materials across a wide range of soft, polymeric and hard materials with a unifying focus on energy applications. This will include colloidal and nanostructured soft materials (e.g., liquid crystals) for energy storage and conversion. Conductive and functional polymers and their role in organic solar cells, batteries and supercapacitors. Porous crystalline materials including zeolites and framework forming systems for gas storage and separation. Materials for batteries and electrodes, solid electrocycles and perovskite oxides for solid-state batteries and fuel cells and next generation photovoltaics, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents will also be investigated. Principles of single crystal X-Ray diffraction are introduced as a key characterisation tool.

Offerings in 2027

Teaching period	Campus	Mode
Second semester	Clayton	On campus

Assessment

Practical workDemonstrationCompetency hurdle
40%
TestQuiz / Test
10%
Final assessment - Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Examination
50%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1
Understand the design principles governing materials for energy applications;
2
Identify major classes of energy-relevant polymers, and explain charge transport mechanisms and structure–property relationships relevant to energy conversion and storage;
3
Describe the formation, stability, and characterisation of colloidal and nanostructured soft materials, and explain their roles in electrochemical energy devices;
4
Describe the structures of zeolites and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and explain how tuneable porosity and surface area enable their use in gas storage, separation, and energy applications;
5
Define ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, and explain how ion selection and molecular design influence their properties for energy applications;
6
Carry out organic and inorganic material synthesis and characterisation in a laboratory environment, and build independent competency, teamwork and communication skills;
7
Demonstrate a basic understanding of the theory of X-ray crystallography.

Workload and teaching

Laboratories36 hours
Workshops24 hours
Tutorials12 hours
Teaching approachActive learning
Teaching approachProblem-based learning
Teaching approachOnline learning

Average 12 hours per week (144 hours per semester) consisting of:

2-hours workshops;
1-hour tutorial;
3-hours laboratory and
6-hours of independent study.

Active learning will occur in workshops, tutorials and lab sessions.

Problem-based learning will be explored in the laboratory exercises and the debate through theoretical concepts and will enable the development of relevant observation and descriptive skills, as well as communication skills.

Online learning will be used to illustrate and explain concepts and to highlight links between theory and laboratory work and will be supported by weekly quizzes.

Learning resources

Required resources

Lab coat and safety glasses
Closed toe footwear
Notebook for taking lab notes

Contacts

Chief Examiners: Dr Drasko Vidovic
Unit Coordinators: Prof Stuart Batten

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for CHM2180?

CHM2180 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is CHM2180 offered?

In 2027, CHM2180 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

How much work is CHM2180?

The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.

Does CHM2180 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.

More details

Credit points: 6
Level: 2
Study level: Undergraduate
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Organisational unit: School of Chemistry

Type: Coursework
EFTSL: 0.125
Student contribution: SCA Band 2
Study abroad: Not available
Handbook years: 2027