Course syllabus for Fuel cell systems

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-14 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameBränslecellssystem
  • CodeTRA275
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTRACKS
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • DepartmentTRACKS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 97130
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0123 Project 7.5 c
Grading: TH		0 c0 c7.5 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

In addition to the general requirements to study at advanced level at Chalmers, necessary subject or project specific prerequisite competences (if any) must be fulfilled. Alternatively, the student must obtain the necessary competences during the course. The examiner will formulate and check these prerequisite competences.

The student will only be admitted in agreement with the examiner.

Aim

The aim of the course is to provide a platform to work and solve challenging cross-disciplinary authentic problems from different stakeholders in society such as the academy, industry or public institutions. Additionally, the aim is that students from different educational programs practice working efficiently in global multidisciplinary development teams.

The course aims at deep understanding of the complex fuel cell technologies, from the details of the fuel cell components to their integration in energy systems. The course is designed to include interdisciplinary collaborations between students from different educational backgrounds, industry and the cutting edge of fuel cell research. Participants should after the course possess the skills to identify and understand the function of critical fuel cell components, their assembly, production and handling, safety aspects, as well as how fuel cells work, how to control them and the role they play in energy systems.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)


Valid for all Tracks courses:
  • critically and creatively identify and/or formulate advanced architectural or engineering problems
  • master problems with open solutions spaces which includes to be able to handle uncertainties and limited information.
  • lead and participate in the development of new products, processes and systems using a holistic approach by following a design process and/or a systematic development process.
  • work in multidisciplinary teams and collaborate in teams with different compositions
  • show insights about cultural differences and to be able to work sensitively with them.
  • show insights about and deal with the impact of architecture and/or engineering solutions in a global, economic, environment and societal context.
  • identify ethical aspects and discuss and judge their consequences in relation to the specific problem
  • orally and in writing explain and discuss information, problems, methods, design/development processes and solutions
  • fulfill project specific learning outcomes
Course specific:
  • identify and explain the function of critical fuel cell components
  • explain the assembly, production and handling of fuel cell components
  • discuss safety aspects of fuel cell components and systems
  • explain how fuel cells work and how to control them
  • describe the role of fuel cell systems in the energy system

Content

  • Function and structure of the Fuel Cell
  • Thermodynamics, assembly, components, and efficiency of the Fuel Cell System
  • Production and manufacturing of Fuel Cells
  • Fuel Cell fuels, safety, production, handling and infrastructure
  • Power electronics in Fuel Cell Systems
  • Vehicle applications of Fuel Cells
  • Integration of Fuel Cells in the energy system

Organisation

The course is run by a teaching team.
The main part of the course is a challenge driven project. The challenge may range from being broad societal to profound research driven. The project task is solved in a group. The course is supplemented by on-demand teaching and learning of the skills necessary for the project. The project team will have one university examiner, one or a pole of university supervisors and one or a pole of external co-supervisors if applicable.

Tracks-theme: Sustainable Transports

  • Lectures, discussions and activities will be held during 4 full day seminars
    Students will perform a project in groups of 3 course participants with supervision by Fuel cell researchers
    A study visits to PowerCell AB

Literature

Relevant literature is retrieved and acquired by the students as a part of the project.

  • Dicks and D. Rand Fuel Cell Systems Explained, J. Wiley, West Sussex, 2018.
  • Material provided by the teachers

Examination including compulsory elements

  • 15 Hand-ins (one for each lecture + 1 for the study visit).
  • A take-home exam worth 24 points
  • Project, can generate 0 – 5 bonus points
  • To pass the course, all 15 hand-ins need to be approved and the project needs to be presented and approved. The points from the take-home exam + any bonus points earned on the project will give the following grades: U: 0 – 9.5 p, 3: 10 – 14.5 p, 4: 15 – 19.5 p, 5: 20 p or more.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.