The technologies used to produce solar cells and photovoltaic modules are advancing to deliver highly efficient and flexible solar panels. In this course you will explore the main PV technologies in the current market. You will gain in-depth knowledge about crystalline silicon based solar cells (90% market share) as well as other up and coming technologies like CdTe, CIGS and Perovskites. This course provides answers to the questions: How are solar cells made from raw materials? Which technologies have the potential to be the major players for different applications in the future?

In the electrical engineering, solid-state materials and the properties play an essential role. A thorough understanding of the physics of metals, insulators and semiconductor materials is essential for designing new electronic devices and circuits. After short introduction of the IC fabrication process, the course starts with the crystallography. This will be followed by the basic principle of the quantum mechanics, the sold-state physics, band-structure and the relation with electrical properties of the solid-state materials. When the material physics has been throughly understood, the physics of the semiconductor device follows quite naturally and can be understood quickly and efficiently. Study Goals: The student can 1) determine the crystal structure, the density of atoms and the Miller indices of a crystal, 2) apply Schrodinger's wave equation to various potential functions and derive a probability of finding electrons, 3) discuss the concept of energy band formation and difference of material properties in terms of the band, 4) derive the concentrations of electron and holes with a given temperature in terms of Fermi energy, and 5) can discuss drift, diffusion and scattering of carriers in a semiconductor under various temperature and impurity concentrations.

This course focuses on a systematic approach to the design of analog electronic circuits. The methodology presented in the course is based on the concepts of hierarchy, orthogonality and efficient modeling. It is applied to the design of negative-feedback amplifiers. It is shown that aspects such as ideal transfer; noise performance, distortion and bandwidth can be optimized independently. A systematic approach to biasing completes the discussion. Lectures are interactive and combined with weekly sessions where students can work on exercises under supervision of the professors.

A transition to sustainable energy is needed for our climate and welfare. In this engineering course, you will learn how to assess the potential for energy reduction and the potential of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass. You’ll learn how to integrate these sources in an energy system, like an electricity network and take an engineering approach to look for solutions and design a 100% sustainable energy system.

Technical Project Management in Living and Geometric Order demonstrates that even the best-laid project plans can be undone by new technologies, financial upheavals, or resource scarcity, to name just a few disruptors. It encourages project managers to focus on learning throughout a project, with the understanding that what they learn could necessitate major changes in midstream. This adaptive, flexible, living-order approach is inspired by Lean in construction projects and Agile in software development. Technical Project Management in Living and Geometric Order explains how today’s projects unfold in dynamic environments in response to unexpected events. With its practical tips, detailed graphics, links to additional resources, and interviews with engineering professionals, it’s an accessible introduction to the living order for aspiring project managers.

Lasers are essential to an incredibly large number of applications. Today, they are used in bar code readers, compact discs, medicine, communications, sensors, materials processing, computer printers, data processing, 3D-imaging, spectroscopy, navigation, non-destructive testing, chemical processing, color copiers, laser "shows", and in the military. There is hardly a field untouched by the laser. But what exactly is so unique about lasers that makes them so effective? This brief video course is designed for engineers, scientists, medical personnel, managers, and others who work with lasers and/or fiberoptics, or who anticipate working with lasers and/or fiberoptics, yet have little or no background in laser or fiberoptic basics. The course focuses on fundamentals and emphasizes a physical intuitive interpretation of laser and fiberoptic phenomena and their applications. Because Prof. Ezekiel keeps mathematics to a minimum, the topics covered are easily understood, without the need for a strong technical background. Prof. Ezekiel uses plain language, graphic illustrations, and video demonstrations to explain the basic characteristics of lasers and fiberoptics. High quality versions of the videos are also available through Zeelase. These videos were produced by the MIT Center for Advanced Engineering Study.

With the continue scaling of transistor feature sizes, VLSI chip density continue increases. This results in a continue increase in the complexity VLSI technology where it has reached the point where billions of transistors are integrated on a single chip (like it is the case for System on Chip). To guarantee the satisfaction of the customers, the produced VLSI chips have to be reliable and fully tested. Verification testing and production testing represents 50 t0 60% of the cost of making VLSI chips, and are now the biggest cost of the technology. It has been known for a while that tackling the problems associated with testing VLSI chips at earlier design stage levels significantly reduces testing cost. Thus it is important for hardware designers to be exposed to concepts of VLSI testing which can help them design better product at lower cost.