Part I: Fundamentals (8 weeks)

In the first part of the course we introduce the basic theory to understand heat transfer and energy conversion from a microscopic perspective. In particular, we will derive classical laws (i.e. Fourier's law, Ohm's law) from this microscopic perspective in oder to understand their limit of validity.

1. Energy states

• From classical to quantum harmonic oscillators: material waves and energy quantization (wave-particle duality)
• Energy states in solids (Band structure of crystals, Phonons, Density of states)
• Fundamentals of statistical thermodynamics

2. Energy Transport

• Energy transfer by waves (reflection/transmission and tunneling, energy and momentum of electromagnetic fields)
• Particle description of transport processes (Fourier's law, Newton's shear stress and Ohm's law)

Part II: Size Effects and Nanostructures for Energy Conversion Devices (6 weeks)

In the second part of the course we study the effect of device miniaturization on heat transfer and energy conversion. Subsequently, starting from recent literature results, we analyze the functioning of selected state-of-the art systems and emerging concepts for energy conversion devices.

3. Classical Size Effects

• Transport parallel and perpendicular to boundaries

4. Thermoelectric devices & materials

5. Nanophotonic Engineering

• radiative heat transfer
• plasmonic photocatalysis
• thermoplasmonics

6. Liquids and Interfaces

• size effects on phase change
• electrokinetic effects in nanochannels
• hydrovoltaic devices