• University of Padova
  • Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
  • Dipartimento di Tecnica Logo
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Aluminium Unveiled: A Comprehensive Journey from History to Sustainability

Explore aluminium and its uses, from its historical roots to future innovations, from mining to recycling.

663 enrolled on this course

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  • Duration

    5 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Digital upgrade

    Free

Understand aluminium and its properties

This course begins with a deep dive into the fundamental aspects of aluminium and its alloys.

By exploring its core properties, you’ll gain insight into why aluminium is a preferred material in various industrial applications, thanks to its strength, lightweight nature, and recyclability. You’ll also discover its remarkable versatility and the potential it holds across diverse uses.

Delve into the uses of aluminium

Aluminium has shaped the modern industrial landscape. Throughout this five-week course, you’ll examine aluminium’s diverse applications, from its everyday utility to its significance in advancing global sustainability efforts.

Explore the process of aluminium production and recycling

You’ll unpack the life cycle of aluminium – from its initial production to innovative recycling processes.

You’ll discover the challenges and opportunities within these stages, including the latest research developments and innovations that could make these processes more efficient and sustainable.

Deepdive in urban mining and recycling of aluminium

You’ll discover the vital role of aluminium recycling in reducing energy use, emissions and resource depletion. You’ll also explore current challenges in optimising recycling processes while uncovering promising opportunities driven by research and innovation.

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the decarbonisation potential of the aluminium cycle and society

You’ll learn about the climate challenges associated with the aluminium cycle and discover strategies for its decarbonisation. Furthermore, you’ll learn about aluminium’s role in meeting climate targets across other sectors and its potential to accelerate the green transition.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 4 seconds Every day, you touch aluminium without  even thinking about it. We’re so used   to it that we don’t even stop to  consider its impact. This course   will transform your understanding  of a metal hidden in plain sight!   Discover how aluminium went from  being seen as a symbol of wealth,   valued even more than silver, to becoming a  strategic material for countless industries.   You’ll learn about the unique properties that make  aluminium so versatile and indispensable, and how   changes in its composition can open up endless  possibilities across various applications.   We’ll also delve into the complex production  process of aluminium, spanning from bauxite   mining to recycling. Along the way, we’ll  examine the sustainability challenges   and innovations at every stage.

Skip to 0 minutes and 45 seconds And lastly, we’ll explore how aluminium plays   a key role in clean technologies and spotlight  global industry efforts to decarbonise.   In this 5-week journey, you’ll be guided by  professors from the University of Padua and the   Norwegian University of Science and Technology,  to explore every facet of aluminium.   You’ll also have the chance to hear directly from  other experts who work with this metal to solve   today’s challenges and innovate for tomorrow. Are you ready to see aluminum in a new light?   Enroll now and discover more  about this essential metal!

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    What is aluminium?

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      The bare necessities

      Get to know the course fundamentals and lead educators

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      A short history of aluminium

      Learn about the history of aluminium, from its discovery to its first applications, from pioneer uses to the mass application developed in the 20th Century

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      Properties of aluminium

      Understand the key properties of aluminium and how it became so popular in our everyday lives.

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      Aluminium alloys

      Learn about the different tailored aluminium alloys and understand how their composition is crucial to their success in applications

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      Wrap-up

      Synthesize and test what you learned this week

  • Week 2

    How is aluminium used?

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      Where is aluminium used?

      Getting familiar with aluminium applications

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      Automotive and mobility

      In what ways is aluminium used in the automotive and mobility sectors? What key properties make aluminium an ideal material for these applications?

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      Building and infrastructure

      How is aluminium used in building and infrastructure, and what key properties make it an ideal material for these applications?

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      Packaging

      In what ways is aluminium used in the packaging sector? What key properties make aluminium an ideal material for this application?

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      Energy technologies and others

      In what ways is aluminium used in the energy and engineering sector? What key properties make aluminium an ideal material for these applications?

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      Wrap-up

      Synthesize and test what you learned this week

  • Week 3

    Producing aluminium and aluminium products

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      From Bauxite to Aluminium Oxide

      Discover the transformation of bauxite into refined aluminium oxide, the precursor of aluminium metal

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      From Aluminium Oxide to Aluminium

      Unveiling the complex electrochemical process that converts aluminium oxide into pure aluminium metal

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      Remelting and Refining

      Exploring the processes of remelting and refining, where scrap aluminium is transformed to be used again in high-quality applications.

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      Alloying and shaping

      Explore the art of alloying and shaping, where aluminium gains enhanced properties through the addition of small amounts of other metals and is crafted into forms tailored for a wide range of applications.

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      Wrap-up

      Synthesize and test what you learned this week

  • Week 4

    Urban mining, recycling, and aluminium after its use

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      Why recycle?

      Understanding the benefits of recycling aluminium scrap, from a resource, energy and climate change perspective

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      The global Al cycle

      Explore the global flows of bauxite, aluminium, and scrap, and uncover how these flows are evolving over time across different regions of the world.

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      Challenges in aluminium recycling

      Discover the challenges in aluminium recycling by exploring current recycling practices

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      Addressing challenges in aluminium recycling

      From the challenges to the opportunities: how circularity can be enhanced thanks to industry best practices and innovation

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      Wrap-Up

      Synthesize and test what you learned this week

  • Week 5

    Decarbonisation of the Aluminium Cycle and the Contribution of Aluminium to the Green Transition

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      Greenhouse gas emissions in aluminium production and use

      Aluminium and GHG emissionsDiscover the contribution of aluminium use to the green transition and the climate change impacts associated with its production

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      Reducing direct emissions in aluminium production

      Unveil the strategies for reducing the direct emissions generated in the aluminium production process.

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      Energy efficiency and electricity decarbonisation

      Discover how climate change impacts can be mitigated by increasing process energy efficiency and decarbonizing the electricity mix.

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      Material efficiency

      Learn about the role of material efficiency in climate change mitigation, from prolonging the life of products to improving their recycling.

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      Putting the pieces together

      Learn how the three climate change mitigation strategies contribute to the decarbonisation pathways for the aluminium industry

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      Wrap-up

      Synthesize and test what you learned this week

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      Wrapping it all up

      Bringing it all together: your final takeaways

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify the various uses of aluminium in everyday life
  • Describe the basic properties of aluminium and its alloys
  • Describe the process of aluminium production and recycling
  • Explain the challenges and possibilities in aluminium production and recycling
  • Discuss the potential of current innovations in aluminium for enabling the green transition

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for anyone interested in learning about aluminium.

You may be a student, an employee in the aluminium industry (technical or non-technical), or simply have a general interest in aluminium and products.

Who will you learn with?

Franco Bonollo

I am Metallurgy Professor at Padova University, with research focussed on processing & characterization of Aluminium alloys. I coordinated EU & Italian Research & Standardization projects in this area

Romain  Billy

I am a researcher in the Industrial Ecology Program at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

My research is mostly about metal cycles, in particular aluminium and battery materials.

Jonna Ljunge

I am a PhD candidate in Industrial Ecology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

My main research topic is about how we can use sand, gravel, and rock more sustainably in construction.

Daniel Müller

I'm a professor in industrial ecology at NTNU. In my research, I try to identify ways to use natural resources in such a way that humans can prosper in a healthy environment.

Who developed the course?

University of Padova

University of Padova

The University of Padova is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious seats of learning; it aims to provide its students with both professional training and a solid cultural background.

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

NTNU is the largest of the eight universities in Norway, and, as its name suggests, has the main national responsibility for higher education in engineering and technology.

Dipartimento di Tecnica Logo

Department of Management and Engineering of the University of Padova

The Department of Management and Engineering of the University of Padova cover the engineering, technological and economic competences needed to develop new products, materials, and production processes favouring technical management and economic profitability.

Endorsers and supporters

funded by

European Aluminium Logo

funded by

International Aluminium Logo

funded by

The Aluminium Association Logo

funded by

Australian Aluminium Council Logo

funded by

Gulf Aluminium Council Logo

funded by

Aluminium Association of India Logo

funded by

AFSA logo

What's included?

University of Padova are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Tests to validate your learning
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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