M. Sc. (Physics):Liquid Crystals:Science of Renewable Energies

First Semester


Classical Mechanics
Statistical Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics
Mathematical Physics
Physics Lab I
Fundamentals of Computer Science and C Programming


Second Semester

Condensed Matter Physics
Experimental Techniques in Physics
Atomic and Molecular Physics
Electrodynamics
Electronics
Physics Lab II


Third Semester

Particle Physics
Nuclear Physics
Semiconductor Physics
Physics Lab III
Seminar


Fourth Semester

Dissertation


Science of Renewable Energies

Introduction: Production and reserves of energy sources in the world and in India, Need for alternatives, Renewable energy sources.

Solar Energy: Thermal applications, Solar radiation outside the earth’s atmosphere and at the earth’s surface, Fundamentals of photovoltaic energy conversion. Direct and indirect transition semi-conductors, Inter-relationship between absorption coefficients and band gap recombination of carriers.

Types of solar cells, p-n junction solar cell, Transport equation, current density, Open circuit voltage and short circuit current, Description and principle of working of single crystal, Polycrystalline and amorphous silicon solar cells, Conversion efficiency. Elementary ideas of Tandem solar cells, Solid-liquid junction solar cells and semiconductor-electrolyte junction solar cells. Principles of photo electrochemical solar cells, Applications.

Hydrogen Energy: Environmental considerations, Solar hydrogen through photo electrolysis and photo catalytic process, Physics of material characteristics for production of solar hydrogen, Storage processes, solid state hydrogen storage materials, Structural and electronic properties of storage materials, New storage modes, Safety factors, Use of hydrogen as fuel; Use in vehicles and electric generation, fuel cells, Hydride batteries.

Other Sources: Nature of wind, Classification and descriptions of wind machines, Power coefficient, Energy in the wind, Wave energy, Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), System designs for OTEC.