Magdalena Bogacka

Environmental impact of PV cell waste scenario

Rapid growth of the volume of waste from PV cells is expected in the following years. The problem of its utilization seems to be the most important issue for future waste management systems. The environmental impacts of the PV recycling scenario are presented in the manuscript. The analysis is based on the LCA approach and the average data available in specialized databases for silicon standard PV cell is used. The functional unit includes parameters like: efficiency, composition, surface area. The discussion on the environmental impact change due to the location of the PV production and waste processing plants is presented in the manuscript. Additionally, the discussion on the environmental effect of substituting different energy resources with PV cells is presented in the manuscript. The analysis of the PV cell life cycle scenario presented in the article was performed using the SIMA PRO software and data from Ecoinvent 3.0 database together with additional data obtained from other sources.

Harmful Environmental Impact of the Production Process of Photovoltaic Panels—A Review

Until recently, the main disadvantage of photovoltaics was the fact that from the perspective of ecology, it was more harmful than helping—the building of the cells required far more energy than they could generate. Although in a local scale it may have made sense and allowed to produce pure energy in a certain place, in the global perspective the balance was definitely negative. At present popular trend is promoted to use as a source of energy photovoltaic modules, but little is said about the harmful effects on the environment and human life of the production process of the PV cells. In the article, based on the available literature, the production process of silicon and tellurium-cadmium cells was analyzed. The production process has been described, with particular emphasis on the hazardous substances used in cell production, as well as by the toxic by-products of these processes. The type of environmental and human toxicity has been demonstrated and the possible ways of limiting this impact have been reviewed.

Work in progress: Combining active learning methods in engineering education

The new idea of approach to education associates different active learning methods in one holistic solution. This should be the complex approach combining different modern teaching techniques in order to provide the most effective pedagogical result. In innovative form the combination of challenge driven education with case teaching, project based learning and oxford style debate was proposed to be implemented in one specific course. In addition the shaping of different behavioral skills and competencies is added as well. Finally student would gain not only the expert knowledge but additionally behavioral skills, like teamwork capabilities, together with the business related knowledge and skills like art of presentation and giving elevator pitches. The heart of the proposal is case teaching method which is an established form of learning in many academic and professional learning programs. The case study method is considered to be the most effective method of teaching. It is proven that it develops practical skills and allows to look at the different situations, from cultural and economic perspective. In addition it shows different possibilities of solving problems based on real-life situations. However, the case teaching method is used mainly in law, medicine and business education. There are not many examples of its implementation in engineering courses. This is due to several problems related to specifics of technical sciences. Due to huge pedagogical benefits of case teaching method it seems to be the right tool in implementation challenge driver education model. Finally the product described in the manuscript could be the good example of holistic approach which is the future oif the education.