MAT61020: Sustainable Materials Manufacturing
Spring Semester.
Optional on MECT40, MECT50, MECT53
Module Leader: Russell Hand
Module Description
Materials production technologies are often energy intensive resulting in high CO2 emissions as well as other environmental impacts. Many of these materials are also essential in enabling the green transition. This module will examine methods for carbon reduction across a range of the materials industries including steelmaking, bulk glass production and cement manufacture. The development of new production technologies and/or alternative compositions will be examined. This will be supported by a consideration of life cycle assessment and the potential for industrial symbiosis approaches for minimising the overall environmental impact of materials manufacturing processes.
Assumed Knowledge
First degree in an engineering or physical science discipline.
Teaching Methods
Independent Study Lectures Problem Solving Tutorials
Assessment Methods
• 50% Coursework
• 50% Exam
Module Aims
The overall aims of the module are to develop your knowledge and understanding of a) the environmental impacts of a range of current and novel materials production processes and b) potential approaches, and their technological limitations, to the decarbonisation of a range of materials production processes, c) the use of life cycle analysis in assessing the environmental impacts of materials processing routes.