Electrochemistry: From fundamentals to applications

Welcome to Electrochemistry: From fundamentals to applications (2026)

Description: 

Electrochemistry is nowadays everywhere in our daily life. How does a battery work? How can we obtain green hydrogen more efficiently? Is it possible to monitoring blood sugar level in real time? All these questions can be answered by electrochemistry. 

The motivation of this course is to try to equip students with a mindset of electrochemistry. The students are expected to understand the fundamental principles of electrochemistry and start using electrochemistry methods as a tool to boost their PhD study.

Prerequisites: The students should have a certain level of knowledge on basic physics and chemistry. It's an advantage if students have learnt physical chemistry (not mandatory).

Learning objectives: The major objective of this course is to explain the fundamentals and then applications of electrochemistry. The emphasis will be placed on the fundamental topics such as thermodynamics and kinetics in electrochemistry (redox reaction, potential, current), basic electrochemical techniques (voltammetry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, impedance), as well as coupled techniques (spectro-electrochemistry). The applications of electrochemistry including energy storage and conversion (batteries, (bio)-fuel cells, water electrolyzer for hydrogen production, power-to-X), analytical chemistry (sensors, biosensors), and fabrication (electrodeposition / electroplating) will be discussed. By working in groups or individuals, they can perform electrochemistry experiments with a designed project highly related to their PhD projects.

Teaching methods: Lecture, group discussion, hand-on lab work.

Criteria for assessment: Small group project with dissertation

Key literature: 

1. Book: Electrochemical Engineering (2018), Thomas F. Fuller, John N. Harb  

2. Book: Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd Edition (2000), Larry R. Faulkner, Allen J. Bard

Organizer: Xinxin Xiao, tenure track assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience

Lecturers: Xinxin Xiao, tenure track assistant professor, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience; and invited researchers (Edmond Magner, University of Limerick; Donghong Yu, AAU; Leonid Gurevich, AAU).

ECTS: 2.5

Time: 8 - 10 April 2026

Place: Aalborg University

City: Aalborg

Maximal number of participants: 20

Deadline: 18 March 2026

Important information concerning PhD courses: 

There is a no-show fee of DKK 3,000 for each course where the student does not show up. Cancellations are accepted no later than 2 weeks before the start of the course. Registered illness is of course an acceptable reason for not showing up on those days. Furthermore, all courses open for registration approximately four months before start of the course.

We cannot ensure any seats before the deadline for enrolment, all participants will be informed after the deadline, approximately 3 weeks before the start of the course.

For inquiries regarding registration, cancellation or waiting list, please contact the PhD administration at phdcourses@adm.aau.dk When contacting us please state the course title and course period. Thank you.