Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MME4216

 
TITLE Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials

 
UM LEVEL 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Metallurgy and Materials Engineering

 
DESCRIPTION Definitions for nanotechnology and nanomaterials are given and the principal areas where these technologies could provide solutions to current problems are described. The necessary tools commonly used to characterize the sub-micro regime are also briefly described with particular attention given to their capabilities. In addition, the student is introduced to several manufacturing techniques capable of producing nano-metric features. The underlying chemo-physical phenomena are explained. The synthesis and resultant material properties of nano-clusters and carbon fullerenes (spheres, tubes and onions) are discussed in some depth. Finally, several examples of current and near future applications of such materials and technologies are described.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit is aimed to give the student an overall insight into the field of nanoscience and particularly nanostructured materials.

An explanation of the engineering challenges which call for this technology as a means to address emerging issues is given.

The study-unit introduces important concepts related to changes in material properties at the nanoscale and how these are reflected at the macro-level. This should lead to an understanding of how the use of such innovative material science leads to advances in components and products.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be:
- Able to understand the terminology and general nomenclature used in nanotechnology.
- Knowledgeable of the changes in material behavior and the associated reasons for these which occur at submicron level.
- Able to understand potential manufacturing and production routes necessary to generate various nanostructured materials and components.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to apply different and new emerging solutions to engineering problems, taking advantage of the unique properties of nanomaterials.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- A. S. Edelstein, R. C. Cammarata, 2002, Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications, Institute of Physics – Series in Micro and Nanoscience and Technology.
- B. Bharat, 2004, Springer Handbook of Nanotechnology, Springer Science.
- G. Guozhong, 2004, Nanostructures and Nanomaterials – Sythesis, Properties and Applications, Imperial College Press.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-Requisite Study-units: MME1201, MME2204

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 No 25%
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 75%

 
LECTURER/S Anthea Agius Anastasi
Sophie Briffa

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit