MECH4102 Advanced Materials Course description

This course presents relevant topics on advanced materials, covering diverse types of materials based on their bonding structure and constituents. The course provides a solid understanding of the fundamental properties of materials that allow their functionality, namely electronic, magnetic, photonic, and thermal properties. Furthermore, the basics of corrosion and wear are covered, and an introduction to materials characterization. Finally, the course provides an overview of the factors that contribute to materials sustainability, and the application of smart materials in the development of sustainable technologies for energy transformation and storage.

• Completion of a basic materials science course.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of chemical reactions.

Knowledge:

The candidate

• can recognize, define, and classify different materials and their properties, based on material constituents, morphology, structure, and defects
• can explain the main theories concerning physical mechanisms and governing principles behind the electronic, magnetic, thermal, and photonic behavior of materials, their properties, and their main applications
• can describe the main concepts about sustainable use and recycling of materials, circular materials, and circular economy, as well as the environmental and societal impact of materials choices
• can identify the main properties of advanced materials that enable or limit the development of sustainable sources of energy or energy transport/storage technologies
• can explain the main material characterization techniques based on electron beam and ion beam, including the physical principles behind beam emission and beam-sample interaction.

Skills:

The candidate

• can calculate properties and parameters relevant to the structure of materials, based on design factors
• can devise methods for producing advanced materials and characterize them
• can calculate parameters of relevance for the characterization of electrochemical corrosion in metallic materials using Faraday’s equation and the Nernst equation
• can interpret and use relevant material diagrams and charts to solve problems concerning the selection of materials for different applications, with consideration of material life cycle, environmental impact, and sustainability
• can find relevant information in the literature, compare information sources critically and follow appropriate citation practices
• can summarize the content of scientific articles and dissertations in the field of materials.

General Competence:

The candidate

• can reflect about materials science problems and make reasoned and justified choices of materials for diverse applications
• can contribute to new thinking and innovative solutions in the field and reflect about the role and responsibility of engineers in sustainable development
• can communicate independent work through a report, using accurate and appropriate language and terminology in materials science
• can orally communicate the results of a material science project

Lectures and group laboratory exercises

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam: Four mandatory individual assignments, about 5 pages long each.

The exam consisting of two parts:

• Part one: A project report in groups of 2-4 people, word limit 6000-8000; this report counts 80 % of the final grade.
• Part two: An individual oral presentation (10-15 min per person); the presentation counts for 20% of the final grade.

Part one can be appealed, part two cannot be appealed.

New/postponed exam:

In the event of a postponed examination in this course the exam may be held as an oral exam. Oral exams cannot be appealed

Part 1: All materials allowed in the project report.

Part 2: None in the oral presentation

Graded scale A-F

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.