Nanomaterials, MSE 376 (Spring 2005)

Syllabus | Lecture Materials | Assignments

Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Materials Science and Engineering 376, “Nanomaterials,” is an interdisciplinary introduction to processing, structure, and properties of materials at the nanometer length scale. The course will cover recent breakthroughs and assess the impact of this burgeoning field. Specific nanofabrication topics include epitaxy, beam lithographies, self assembly, biocatalytic synthesis, atom optics, and scanning probe lithography. The unique size-dependent properties (mechanical, thermal, chemical, optical, electronic, and magnetic) that result from nanoscale structure will be explored in the context of technological applications including computation, magnetic storage, sensors, and actuators.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Throughout this course, students will:

1. Study how the structure of materials can be controlled down to the nanometer scale through various processing methods.
2. Study structure-property relationships at the nanometer scale.
3. Study applications involving nanostructured materials.
4. Develop effective communication skills in interdisciplinary groups.
5. Critically evaluate topics in the emerging field of nanomaterials (i.e., distinguish progress from hype).

PREREQUISITES:

Senior undergraduate or graduate students in materials science, engineering, chemistry, physics, or biology.

TEACHING METHOD:

Three classes per week with lectures, group assignments, and student presentations.

EVALUATION METHOD:

Course grades will be determined from group assignments (50%) and the final project (50%).

GROUP ACTIVITIES:

This course has three group assignments throughout the quarter. Groups will be chosen and varied by the instructor to ensure interdisciplinary representation. The group presentations will be peer reviewed and evaluated. The opinions of the peer review committees (headed by the teaching assistant) will be strongly considered when the instructor distributes final grades.

PARTICIPATION:

This course will be discussion-based and interactive. Consequently, attendance is required and participation in class activities will be factored into final grades.

PROJECTS:

The final project will consist of a research proposal or business plan proposal based upon a topic in nanomaterials. The proposal should be submitted as a written document following the specifications on the National Science Foundation website (http://www.nsf.gov/). In addition, the proposal will be presented orally in class and will be judged, in part, by your peers.

GRADES:

Grades will be based upon group assignments (50%) and the final project (50%).

READING:

Rainer Waser, Editor, Nanoelectronics and Information Technology, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim (2003), ISBN: 3-527-40363-9.

RESERVED BOOK LIST:

1. Chen, C. J., Introduction to Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.
2. Datta, S., Quantum Phenomena, Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1989.
3. Dresselhaus, M. S., Dresselhaus, G., and P. C. Eklund, Science of Fullerenes and Carbon Nanotubes, San Diego: Academic Press, 1995.
4. Griffiths, D. J., Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1995.
5. Hoch, H. C., Jelinski, L. W., and H. G. Craighead, Nanofabrication and Biosystems, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
6. Kittel, C., Introduction to Solid State Physics, New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1996.
7. Koch, C. C., Nanostructured Materials, Norwich, New Jersey: Noyes Publications, 2002.
8. Poole, C. P. and F. Owens, Introduction to Nanotechnology, Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, 2003.
9. Timp, G., Nanotechnology, New York: Springer-Verlag, 1999.
10. Waser, R., Nanoelectronics and Information Technology, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH,Weinheim, 2003.