2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

CAPE2710 Materials Synthesis and Characterisation

20 creditsClass Size: 200

Module manager: Dr N Hondow
Email: n.hondow@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to provide students with:
- a sound understanding of the physical and chemical principles which underpin both the synthesis of materials and their characterisation;
- the knowledge to be able to select appropriate processing routes with a view to producing materials with a desired combination of properties;
- the ability to select an appropriate range of advanced materials characterisation techniques, and analyse the data generated by these, in order to determine whether a particular processing route has resulted in the desired materials composition and microstructure.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should:
- understand the thermodynamic, kinetic and morphological principles underpinning materials synthesis;
- be able to apply these principles in understanding the design and capabilities of materials processing techniques;
- be able to design an appropriate processing route to synthesize a material with a controlled microstructure to deliver the required properties;
- understand the principles, applications and limitations of advanced materials characterisation techniques;
- be able to select a range of advanced materials characterisation techniques, and analyse the data generated by these, to characterise (chemically and structurally) the product from a materials synthesis process.

Syllabus

- Synthesis via phase transformations;
- Elements of a phase transformation;
- Order of a phase transformation;
- Thermodynamics and kinetics of first and second order phase transformations, including interfaces and transport processes;
- Microstructural development during transformations from the vapour, liquid and solid states and during crystallisation from solution;
- Microstructural control in materials processing via phase transformations;
- Microscopy: principles and applications of light and electron microscopy techniques;
- X-ray diffraction and characterisation;
- Scanning probe techniques;
- Spectroscopy and surface analysis;
- Examples of contemporary research in materials synthesis and characterisation.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	2	1.00	2.00
Tutorial	20	2.00	40.00
Independent online learning hours			60.00
Private study hours			98.00
Total Contact hours			42.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Independent on-line learning using self-learning units and formative on-line tests (16 hr)
Revision for in-class tests and final examination
Reading to support lecture material

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Performance and feedback from formative on-line tests.
Feedback on progress in the group project at three points throughout the year.
Performance in the semester 1 and semester 2 in-class tests.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Online	10.00
Group Project	Group report	30.00
In-course Assessment	Online	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

An individual project will be available for students who are required to re-sit the group project which assesses the same learning outcomes but which will require an appropriately reduced time to complete.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:19:34

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