2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
JALJ0003 Nanotechnology
10 creditsClass Size: 20
Module manager: Prof Mitjan Kalin
Email: mitjan.kalin@tint.fs.uni-lj.si
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
Pre-requisite qualifications
Min 2(i) Engineering or Physical SciencesThis module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
GoalsThe Nanotechnologies course acquaints the students in detail about the various fields, development and opportunities provided by the nanotechnologies in product design and development. Nanotechnologies are one of the latest and emerging fields, which are still finding their role in design. This goes especially for numerous new materials, their properties and the possibilities of use. The students will first learn the differences between the macro- and nanoworld, as well as why the nanostructures are so different from the macroscopic structures. The basic conceptual differences and characteristics offered by the nanostructures will be derived from this starting point. Further on, the students will learn about the ways of creating nanostructures, as well as the available options for controlling and monitoring these structures. This is followed by an overview of tools for the characterisation of nanostructures or elements based on them. Thereafter comes a detailed overview of nanomaterials, presenting both their application as the basic building blocks of elements and composites, and as coatings and nanoparticle inclusions in different smart materials. The key nanomechanical properties and other physical properties, enabled by the nanomaterials, will be presented in detail. A special emphasis will also be placed on boundary surface films and their application, significance and physical-chemical properties. The students will also be presented briefly with the options of modeling by different principles, the latter being an important factor of support to the nanotechnologies due to the very nature of the phenomena and the problems of macroevaluation of developmental achievements. Nanotechnologies are also related to health risks, so the students will learn how to act and work appropriately in the development and manufacturing processes. The regulations will be presented, too. The course concludes with a comprehensive overview of previous applications of nanotechnologies, nanomaterials and nanoconcepts in different industries, highlighting the practical opportunities for the use of nanotechnologies and giving the students ideas how to use the nanotechnologies in their own design, research and development processes.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
Upon the successful completion of study obligations, the students will be able to:
- understand the significance and the possibilities of using nanotechnologies in the design and manufacturing process
- consider the possibilities of nanotechnologies and nanomaterial properties
- distinguish and consider the properties, advantages and disadvantages of materials on the nano and macro level
- identify the problems in the introduction of nanotechnologies to design processes and product manufacturing
- properly treat nanotechnologies from the viewpoint of health security
- analyse and consider the possibilities for the integration of nanotechnologies into existing and new products in various fields
Usage
The students will be able to use the assimilated knowledge and its methodical steps in the development of new technical systems. They will be able to assess the capabilities of classical technologies and materials and compare them to the new principles of nanotechnologies and resulting potential properties of materials and products. They will know the opportunities and benefits offered by the nanotechnologies, as well as the related problems. They will be able to evaluate the advantages and the disadvantages of the decision for the one or the other concept or material. The students will exhibit a considerably greater technical, economical and general breadth in their developmental decisions.
Reflection
Based on the acquired knowledge, the students will reasonably evaluate the possibilities of different technologies, the properties of various materials and surfaces, their price and manufacturing processes, thereby determining the developmental or research priorities and opportunities, making better informed decisions with a greater chance of finding the optimal solution.
Transferrable skills related to more than one course
The students will obtain the breadth and the understanding of available options in determining and selecting the mechanical and physical-chemical properties of materials and surfaces, the possibilities of their technical application and the possibilities of development for a versatile product improvement using the latest concepts, which can sometimes enable a quantum leap to a completely different quality.
Skills outcomes
The students will be qualified for an autonomous and critical evaluation of the possible uses and upgrades to classical technologies and materials using nanotechnologies and nanomaterials in the development of new products, so they will be able to identify the critical elements and their properties themselves, and to compare and select them according to the criteria of best results and properties, by combining two entirely different concepts. The course gives the students a comprehensive overview of the new field and new possibilities, which cannot be obtained in any other course due to the specific nature of nanotechnologies and nanoengineering.
Syllabus
1. Introduction to nanotechnologies (the definition of concepts, examples and overview of the field, nano vs. macro, examples from the nature);
2. The fundamental principles of nanoworld (physical principles of materials on the macro and nano level, the effects of scale transformation, the significance of surfaces);
3. Building and assembling nanostructures (the up-to-bottom principles, bottom-up principles, examples and characteristics of established processes, self-organisation of films);
4. Characterisation of nanostructures (optical methods, bright and dark field principle, fluorescent method, electronic microscope, scanning electron microscopy, diffraction methods, emission methods);
5. Nanomaterials (nanostructured materials, nanocomposites, layered nanocomposites, nanocristals, amorphous nanomaterials, nanoparticles, fullerenes, nanotubes, nanowires, nanolayers, hybrid nanoparticles, colloidal suspensions. Smart materials, molecular identification and differentiation, nanosensors);
6. Properties of nanomaterials (nanomechanical properties and other physical properties. Adsorption, surface energy, wettability. Boundary surface nanofilms, structure, reactions, properties, influence, significance. nanotribology);
7. The fundamentals of nanoscale modeling (fundamental principles, molecular dynamics, models spanning multiple scales);
8. Health and legal aspects (the risks of nanotechnologies, protection, legal and other statutory regulations);
9. Examples, concepts, application and development of nanotechnologies (MEMS/NEMS, nanomanufacturing, nanofluids, lubricants and lubrication, surface films, nanomechanics, energy, construction, electronics, optics, textile industry, biology, medicine, nanometerial synthesis)
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 30 | 1.00 | 30.00 |
| Tutorial | 30 | 1.00 | 30.00 |
| Private study hours | 40.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 60.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Directed reading in support of lectures and tutorialsPreparation for practical/tutorial reports
Revision for final examination
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Tutorial Performance | . | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 0 hr | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
The methodology for the determination of the final grade for this module considers the student's success in the planned forms of knowledge testing and is determined for each study year individually in the course execution plan. Methods of assessment and grading scale are defined in Section 6.3 of the Consortium Agreement for the master study program Tribology of surfaces and interfaces.
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 29/04/2022 15:31:27
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD