Course catalogue
Create your own master’s programme by choosing between the different specializations of our partner universities.
Academic Programme
Implemented from September 2025
Electrochemical systems for energy conversion and storage (6 ECTS)
All courses during this semester
- Experimental methods on innovative research infrastructures - 5 ECTS
- Digital Micro-certification "The challenges of sustainable chemistry" - 10h
- Transferable skills : French language & interculturality (3 ECTS)
- Quantum mechanics towars quantum computing (5 ECTS)
- Winter school in Data Science (2 ECTS)
- Organic / Inorganic chemistry towards sustainability (5 ECTS)
- Kinetics and Electrochemistry (5 ECTS)
- Introduction to biophysics and microscopies for life science (5 ECTS)
All courses during this semester
- Luminescence spectroscopy of Lanthanides (3 ECTS)
- Summer School in Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)
- Transferable skills: Polish course (3 ECTS)
- The molecules of life: from structure to chemical function (5 ECTS)
- Thermodynamics and soft matter (3 ECTS)
- Introduction to solid state (5 ECTS)
- Tech-infused perspectives on photochemical reaction dynamics (6 ECTS)
- Transferable skills: Portuguese course (3 ECTS)
- Summer School in Entrepreneurship (5 ECTS)
- Solid State Physics (5 ECTS)
- Molecular Energetics (3 ECTS)
- Laboratory of Materials and Surface Analysis (5 ECTS)
- Interfacial Electrochemistry (3 ECTS)
- Interfaces, Colloids and Self-Assembly (6 ECTS)
All courses during this semester
- 1-year research project - master thesis (equivalent 45 ECTS)
- Progress assessment of the research project (equivalent 6 ECTS)
- Weekly seminars (equivalent 4 ECTS)
- Special Topics in Chemistry (equivalent 5 ECTS)
- French language courses (3 ECTS)
- Nanosciences (6 ECTS)
- Medical applications of nanomaterials and radiations (6 ECTS)
- Top management, corporate law, and project writing for technology transfer and decision making (4 ECTS)
- Tracking ultrafast radiation-induced reactivity (3 ECTS)
- Applications for renewable energy and storage: solar fuels, batteries and hydrogen (6 ECTS) (6 ECTS)
- Scientific Writing and career objectives (2 ECTS)
- Surface Science and Nanostructuring at Surfaces (6 ECTS)
- Polymers for electronics and energy harvesting (5 ECTS)
- Electrochemical systems for fuel and electrolysis cells and batteries (6 ECTS)
- Project-based laboratory on device building (3 ECTS)
- Italian Courses (3 ECTS)
- Chemistry and Technology of Catalysis (5 ECTS)
Content
The course gives an overview of electrochemical conversion and storage devices, dealing with advanced materials and technologies for rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers, supercapacitors, dye-sensitised cells and electrolysis cells. Students are besides introduced to equivalent circuits analysis and electrochemical characterization techniques, with particular focus on electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Within the course there are 4-5 assignments, for which the group collaboration is encouraged.
Aims
The purpose of the course is to provide the concepts of electrochemistry and the aspects of materials science constituting the basis of the most promising electrochemical systems for energy. At the end of the course the student will have acquired the theoretical knowledge on the structure and operating principle of each device, whether it be for conversion (spontaneous current flows - galvanic cells, photoelectrochemical cells - and forced - electrolysers) or for storage (secondary batteries, supercapacitors).
Pre-requiste
Etymology of electrochemistry. Basics of electrochemistry thermodynamics and kinetics. Basics of electrical circuits.
Recommended Books
- J. Newman, K. E. Thomas-Alyea, “Electrochemical Systems”, John Wiley & Sons (Third Edition, 2004)
- “High temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Fundamentals, design and applications”, Edited by: S.C. Singhal and K. Kendall, Elsevier Ltd., Oxford, UK (2003)
- J. Larminie and A. Dicks, “Fuel cell systems explained”, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd., England (Second Edition, 2003)
- R. A. Huggins, “Energy storage - Fundamentals, Materials and Applications”, Springer (Second Edition, 2016).
Research articles selected by the teacher.
Teaching Staff
Paola Carpanese
Antonio Barbucci
Hours
Lectures: 36 hours
Practical course: 12 hours
Study hours for the student: 102h
Grading System
Periodic problem assignments: 40 %
Final exam: 60