2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS2331 Nanophysics and Small Systems

10 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Dr Sally Peyman
Email: S.Peyman@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Elements of this course are highly mathematical and requires students to have taken Level One physics and maths (or equivalent).

Module replaces

PHYS 2330 Nanophysics and Nanotechnology

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

• Scaling laws and the limit of smallness• Bionanotechnology: Inspiration from Nature• Microfluidics: Reducing fluidic systems to the microscale• Nanoparticles: properties and applications• Carbon based Nanotechnology

Objectives

Introduce students to the physics of small and miniaturised systems and how this drives future technology

Learning outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:
1. Particle motion and nanomechanics (AFM)
2. Nanobiology in nature (Neurons, molecular motors)
3. Microscale fluid flow and microfluidic technology
4. Quantum physics and applications (QDots, STM)
5. Nanoparticles: properties and applications (Magnetic, electrical)
6. Carbon-based nanomaterials (Graphene, CNTs)

Skills outcomes
On completion the module you will be able to :
- Identify properties that emerge on the nanoscale;
- Explain the quantum nature of matter and its macroscopic realization;
- Describe experimental approaches to nanofabrication (bottom-up and top-down);
- Discuss in an informed way the current possibilities and limitation of nanotechnology.

Syllabus

This module explores physics on the nano- and micro-scale and how these behaviours help advance technology. Some of the most advance technology we have today have been made possible by miniaturisation and by inspiration from the natural world, however there are limits to how small we can go. This module explores how physical laws and behaviours change when systems are miniaturised to the microscale and nanoscale and how some of our most advanced technology are based on these principles.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Private study hours			78.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

- Reading lecture notes and books
- Solving problems.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Regular Coursework	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

Resit will be in standard exam format.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 30 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

Students will have to complete an in-person exam at the end of the module. This will take place during the examinations period at the end of the semester and will be time bound.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 01/08/2023

Disclaimer

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