NANOSCIENCE & NANOTECHNOLOGY - 2020/1

Module Overview

Expected prior learning:  Students should have an interest in materials and devices.




Module purpose:  Nanotechnology promises new strong and light materials, faster electronic devices which consume less energy and have enhanced functionality. Nanotechnology and nanomaterials are everywhere; it is on the nanometer scale that many of the well-known descriptions and properties of materials breakdown and where an understanding of quantum effects becomes vital.  New materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes with outstanding physical and electronic properties have emerged. This module will introduce quantum engineering and new nanomaterials as well as showing how developments have led to unprecedented ability to see and manipulate atoms and materials on the nanoscale.





 

Module provider

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Module Leader

CAREY David (Elec Elec En)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes the following.

1. Nanoscience and Quantum Engineering

1. Origins and nature of nanotechnology.  Nanotechnology in society and current issues.


2. Quantum Engineering: The quantum nature of matter and wave-particle duality.


3. The Schrödinger Equation, wavefunctions, probability and probability density; Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle.


4. Quantum confinement and Solutions to the Schrödinger equation for ‘particle-in-a-box’ type problems.


5. Quantum tunnelling & reflection and transmission coefficients: potential step and potential barrier. Electric field induced tunnelling and field emission display technology     

1. Length scales, importance of surface area-to-volume ratio for nanomaterials. Top-down and bottom-up approaches to nanotechnology.


2. Properties of selected nanomaterials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, nanometals and selected surfaces structures.


3. Importance of surface free energy in growth and criteria for growth of nanomaterials. Examples of growth modes of semiconductor quantum dots and thin films (Frank-van der Merwe, Volmer-Weber, Stranski–Krastanov growth modes), homogenous and heterogeneous nucleation of nanomaterials and micelle formation.

1. Scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy. 


2. Atomic and molecular manipulation – including lateral manipulation and 2D quantum corrals and tip induced effects e.g STM induced Ullmann process


3. Electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), image processing, aberration effects and analysis  


4. Optical and electron beam lithography. 


5. Focused Ion beam methods.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Not applicable: students failing a unit of assessment resit the assessment in its original format.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the learning outcomes. The 2-hour written examination will assess knowledge of fundamental quantum and material properties and allow the student to demonstrate an ability to perform numerical calculations of key material parameters.  The assignment will assess the student’s ability to research into properties and applications of new materials. Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following:

·         One 2-hour, closed book written examination (worth 80% of the module)

·         One written assignment covering aspects associated with new materials and problem solving (worth 20% of the module).  The assignment is usually set in week 2 and is usually week 9.

 

Any deadline given here is indicative. For confirmation of exact date and time, please check the Departmental assessment calendar issued to you.

 

Formative assessment and feedback

For the module, students will receive formative assessment/feedback in the following ways.

·         During lectures, by question and answer sessions

·         During tutorials/tutorial classes

·         By means of unassessed tutorial problem sheets (with answers/model solutions) provided in the revision guide

·         Via the marking of written reports

         ·          Via assessed coursework

 

Module aims

• This module will equip students with an understanding of the science and engineering considerations that take place on the nanometer scale as well as developing an appreciation of the current status of, and future prospects for, nanotechnology. The module will show how quantum effects control many of the properties of materials and how the properties of new nanomaterials can be assessed using a range of techniques. 

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the following aims.

1. Through the introduction of the key concepts, representative examples and in-class calculations, the students will be able to relate the properties of materials when quantum effects are considered.


2. Through the introduction, discussion and study of different materials, students will be able to examine and calculate the key properties of new materials.


3. Through the use of a revision and study questions with full solutions, student will be able to pace their own learning in parallel with the lecture course.

• Lectures and class discussions, 27 hours (spread over 10 weeks)


• Formative feedback sessions 3 hours (spread over 10 weeks)


• Revision sessions 3 hours (week 11)

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEE3037

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.