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Introduction
The International Ph.D. Program in Low Carbon Energy is provided by the College of Nuclear Science, National Tsing Hua University. Low carbon energy has been adopted as a primary energy source for alleviating the impact of the greenhouse effect. Among the options practically available, nuclear energy, solar energy, wind power, and hydrogen energy are targeted with worldwide attention. Nuclear energy with a thermal efficiency of more than 30% is competitive with that of a commercial fossil plant. With the nature of almost zero carbon emission, nuclear energy is deemed as a potential and practical solution to the control of the greenhouse effect. Solar energy is currently undergoing intensive research worldwide for efficiency improvement. To effectively exploit the abundant thermal and electromagnetic energy provided by the sun, it is essential that energy conversion devices with a relatively high efficiency should be developed. In addition to direct combustion, hydrogen energy may be utilized via various types of fuel cells. After more than fifty years of development, fuel cells now show promising potentials for applications in modular power stations, electric vehicles, and portable electronic devices, with the aid of nanotechnology. Though environmentally friendly, the foregoing options of low carbon energy still have challenges to overcome, in the aspects of nuclear safety, energy conversion efficiency, and power density improvement.
The goal of low carbon energy discipline is to explore advanced scientific basis and technology breakthrough in these energy systems. In addition to discussion on the principles and applications, novel research results and newly developed technologies pertinent to the subject areas will be reviewed in a timely manner. Upon the completion of this program, students will be able to fully understand the in-depth nature of low carbon energy, to identify the pros and cons of these energy technologies, and to capture the global trend of their future development. All lectures in this program are offered in English for international students.
