What are new energy materials and devices?

The so-called new energy refers to the energy that has not been utilized on a large scale and is under active research and development, which is different from conventional energy such as coal, oil, natural gas and large and medium-sized hydropower. For example, solar energy, wind energy, modern biomass energy, geothermal energy, ocean energy and hydrogen energy are all new energy sources. New energy materials are the key materials used in the process of realizing the transformation and utilization of these new energy sources and developing new energy technologies.

At present, the more studied and relatively mature new energy materials are mainly solar cell materials, power battery materials, fuel cell materials, biomass energy materials, wind energy materials, supercapacitors, nuclear energy materials, etc.

The major of new energy materials and devices is the major of research and development of key materials and device design and manufacturing of new energy conversion and utilization. This major is one of the first batch of majors related to national strategic emerging industries added by the Ministry of Education in 2010, and it is one of the youngest majors in the material category of engineering.

Professor Li Meicheng said that the connotation of the major of new energy materials and devices lies in the integration of new energy materials and devices. Different from traditional materials, such as alloy materials, new energy materials are not simple materials, but have structural and functional properties. For example, the core material of solar panels is not simple silicon, but to form a certain structure (such as PN junction), and can achieve photoelectric conversion function. Therefore, the research of new energy materials and devices is not only materials or components, but to combine the two. In other words, the major focuses on how to break through the fault lines between new energy materials and devices.

Take electric cars, for example, where power battery technology is evolving rapidly. For example, lithium titanate negative battery has the advantages of fast charging performance, long life, high safety, etc., the disadvantage is low energy density, high price, suitable for bus use. However, recently, carbon negative fast charging battery has made rapid progress, and its high energy density and low cost are expected to replace lithium titanate negative battery. No matter what kind of battery, its materials and devices are inseparable, and the final material must be made into a battery. Of course, this is only a small part of the research field of new energy materials and devices.

What are the research areas of new energy materials and devices?

Professor Li Meicheng said that the current active research areas of new energy materials and devices major are:

First, the process of energy conversion. For example, light energy to electricity, light energy to heat, light energy to chemical energy, wind energy to electricity, biomass energy to electricity, and so on. For example, solar cells convert light energy into electricity, and artificial photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy.

Second, energy capture and storage. In November 2016, Premier Li Keqiang presided over a meeting of the National Energy Commission, which deliberated and approved the 13th Five-Year Energy Development Plan. Li suggested to focus on renewable energy development and utilization, especially the new energy on the grid technology and energy storage, micro network technology breakthrough, the comprehensive construction "Internet +" wisdom energy, improve power system adjustment ability, increase the new energy given ability, develop advanced high efficiency and energy saving technology and energy competition the commanding heights of science and technology. In 2016, the National Energy Administration approved the construction of the national large-scale chemical energy storage demonstration project for the first time nationwide, and also put forward specific innovation targets for the energy storage technology of large capacity ultracapacitors. Energy storage technology will be one of the key research areas in the next five years. In addition, wind turbine impeller surface coating (anticorrosion and other properties), fuel cells, etc., are new energy materials and devices research fields.

Sensors in integrated energy systems. This is another area where Professor Li has recently realized that new energy materials and devices can be widely used. Under the background of the continuous deepening of the reform of the electric power system, the transformation of the traditional power grid and the construction of the integrated energy system have been the general trend, but there is still a lack of key nodes, or switches to communicate with each other. The increasing complexity of the energy connected to the energy system requires intelligent deployment. The current grid, however, lacks "eyes" and "ears" to deploy energy quickly and accurately. These "eyes" and "ears", sensors, are exactly where the new energy materials and devices profession comes in. It is likely that the use of a new energy material will lead to a great innovation.

What about New energy Materials and devices?

In July 2012, North China Electric Power University hosted the third National Symposium on the construction of new energy materials and devices. More than 70 people participated in the event, including principals of new energy materials and devices from more than 30 universities, representatives of new energy enterprises and industry associations, and new energy publishing units. Ni Weidou, academician of Tsinghua University, speaks on the development and talent demand in the field of new energy. He pointed out that the development of the new energy industry should take a practical road, and colleges and universities specializing in new energy should base on their own characteristics, overcome the development bottleneck, and contribute to the construction of new energy. China Renewable Energy Association photovoltaic committee deputy director, secretary general Wu Dacheng pointed out in the meeting, new energy personnel training should strengthen the basic education of universal talents, the reasonable introduction of teachers, strengthen exchanges and joint education.

The background of new energy materials and devices major in different universities is very different, so the courses also have their own characteristics. Taking North China Electric Power University as an example, its curriculum features a strong combination of disciplines and intersections. Professor Li Meicheng said that the major of new energy materials and devices involves the following three aspects: the physical and chemical mechanism is the basis, the material is the main body, and the device is the performance of the material. Colleges and universities should combine their own professional characteristics and make the three organically through reasonable curriculum setting.

Main courses :(comprehensive information of each school)

Solid state physics, physical chemistry, material chemistry and physics, energy, electrochemistry, power supply technology, semiconductor physics and devices, energy storage materials and preparation technology, material analysis and testing methods, energy transformation and application, the advanced energy saving technology principle and technology, solar cells, lithium ion battery principle and technology, energy system integration design, the world's new energy development trend of lecture series, etc .

And new energy science and engineering major difference

Both majors belong to the engineering category, but new energy materials and devices belong to the material category, and new energy science and engineering belong to the energy power category. New energy science and engineering is oriented to the new energy industry, with strong interdisciplinary and large professional span. The discipline foundation comes from multiple sciences and engineering, and is closely related to physics, chemistry, materials, machinery, electronics, information, software, economy and many other majors. According to the social needs and their own professional accumulation, colleges and universities have set up their own characteristics of new energy science and engineering major, training objectives, curriculum Settings, major direction and so on are quite different.