MS4667: Introduction to Sustainable Materials

Academic Units2
Semester1
Pre-requisite(s)Nil
Co-requisite(s)Nil

Course Instructors

Dr Xiaolei Feng

Course AIMS

The new course will introduce students to the challenges arising from our increased use of materials through the last century or more. Aspects of developing, using and recycling materials in a sustainable way will be explored through a focus on the five key materials that (arguably) have most impact on the environment: steel, cement, aluminum, plastics and paper. This course will be helpful to students keen on building an understanding of the impacts of materials on the environment and, forward looking, the use of materials in ways to secure a sustainable future. This course will also touch on fundamental skills for students interested in policy, decision making and the application of sustainability concepts to modern life.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you (as a student) would be able to:     

  1. Describe what  we are worried about regarding future sustainability as materials scientists/engineers, understand key concepts related to sustainability, understand environmental impacts of our increasing demands of materials, and describe the challenges of making a big difference towards a sustainable future.
  2. Explain top five key materials that drive the industrial carbon emissions.
  3. Describe the use of recycled materials – the metals, and  to some extent paper and plastics can be recycled which affects sustainability, as the emissions and energy used to recycle these materials is usually much less than to  produce fresh material.
  4. Describe materials journey, including their flows, stocks and demand.
  5. Evaluate the energy and emissions in making materials, like steel .
  6. Critically evaluate which processes emit the most greenhouse gases, in response to concerns related to climate change.
  7. Explain the factors that limit energy efficiency in materials production and approaches to optimise energy efficiency.
  8. Demonstrate knowledge on novel process routes and clean energy that would reduce our total emission.
  9. Explain where CO2 can be stored, what are the risks of storing CO2, and what  the energy and money costs of storing CO2.
  10. Demonstrate their capacity to work in teams, and to network and collaborate with practitioners for real-world problems.

Course Content

  1. Material wealth and health – Why are we worried about a sustainable future? Challenges of making a big difference towards a sustainable future.
  2. Top five materials that drive the industrial carbon emissions – why steel and aluminium are most heavily consumed metals that make Singapore as it is today? use of recycled materials – the metals, and to some extent paper and plastics can be recycled which affects sustainability
  3. Metal journeys. Flow from ore to final uses. How has the demand built to present levels? What stocks of steel and aluminum goods exist today? How will the demand develop in future?
  4. CO2 emissions a rising from the material production processes.
  5. Energy uses in making steel and aluminum components.
  6. Energy efficiency in existing processes and how to push the limits to future energy efficiency.
  7. Opportunities for capturing heat.
  8. Novel process routes and clean energy that would reduce our total emission.
  9. Carbon sequestration. W here can CO2 be stored ? What are the risks of storing CO2?
  10. A special case study

A guest lecture(s) (at least 2) will be organized on one or two of the teaching weeks depending on the availability of the external speakers. Minor adjustments to the weekly schedule will be done while ensuring all planned topics are covered.

Reading and References

Text Book

  1. Julian M Allwood & Jonathan M Cullen, Sustainable Materials without the hot air, UIT Cambridge Ltd, 2015
  2. Cleaver, C., Azevedo, J., Horton, P., & Allwood, J. M. (2022). Materials & Manufacturing: Business growth in a transformative journey to zero emissions. Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.79915
  3. Allwood, J. (2021). Entrepreneurs not Emissions: New business opportunities to fill the gap in UK emissions policy. Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.76789

Additional Resources

  1. IPCC, 2023: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. A Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, (in press)
  2. IPCC, 2023: Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report.A Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, (in press).
  3. IPCC, 2023: Annex I: Glossary [Reisinger, A., D. Cammarano, A. Fischlin, J.S. Fuglestvedt, G. Hansen, Y. Jung, C. Ludden, V. Masson-Delmotte, R. Matthews, J.B.K Mintenbeck, D.J. Orendain, A. Pirani, E. Poloczanskaa, and J. Romero (eds.)]. In: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, (in press)
  4. IPCC, 2023: Annex II: Acronyms, Chemical Symbols and Scientific Units [Fischlin, A., Y. Jung, N. Leprince-Ringuet, C. Ludden., C. Péan, J. Romero (eds.)]. In: Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, H. Lee and J. Romero (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, (in press)