Materials Science

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course focuses on the principles of chemistry and how they apply to the behavior of solid states. Special attention is placed on electronic structure, chemical bonding, and crystal structure. The course discusses topics including amorphous and crystalline solids, symmetry, lattices, and silicates; bonding in solids, ionic solids, the role of ion size, Shannon-Prewitt model for ions, transition metal compounds and non-bonding electron effects, crystal field theory, and band model for metals and semiconductors; crystal defects and non-stoichiometry, role of point defects in diffusion in solids, ionic conductivity, and some important solid-state electrolytes for batteries and fuel cells; catalysts for polymer production: radical initiators, Ziegler-Natta and metallocene catalyst in polyolefin production, branching in polyethylenes: origin and influence on polymer properties, and catalysts for step-growth polymerization: transition metals in polyester production; biobased and/or biodegradable polymers: production, properties, and main applications; chemisorption and activation on transition metals, interaction models based on HOMO-LUMO, and examples of relevant industrial applications: CO activation; carbon based materials, conducting polymers, structure, and properties, materials for secondary Li-based batteries, anodes, cathodes, and electrolytes, Li-ion vs Li metal batteries, fuel cells, materials for anodes, cathodes, electrolytes, and bipolar plates, proton conducting polymers for fuel cells electrolytes, fullerenes and fullerides, synthesis and properties, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and their application in polymer nanocomposites; and layered solids, layered double hydroxides, clays, and their modification to improve the compatibility with polymers, preparation of polymer nanocomposites using organoclays, flame retardant properties of LDH and organoclay based polymer nanocomposites.

The dramatic progress in living standards, over the last hundred years especially, has been possible only by the evolution of new materials.  The course provides an introduction to the wide breadth of Materials Science. It shows how the radically different responses of the huge range of materials we use in quite varied situations in everyday life enable us to exploit and benefit from their distinctive characteristics. Topics include atomic structure and its relevance to all classes of materials, the basis of mechanical and physical properties, environmental degradation and optimization using anisotropy. Examples of materials evolution are used to show how diverse materials are tailored to specific applications including transportation, power generation, communication, and health care. Further understanding and development of materials are essential given the demanding and growing challenges of sustainability.  Science and technology must provide some solutions and Materials Science has a pivotal role in enabling innovation and change.

This course teaches effective communication skills in science and engineering fields, such as effective reports and summaries, how to communicate with employers, and how to write academically as well as in the workplace. The course covers how to write a CV, including things to highlight and things to avoid; writing a statement of purpose; and interviewing. Students undertake their own research topics and write a scientific publication, prepare a scientific poster, and present their findings to the class.

Biomedical materials have improved healthcare in many ways and continuous developments in this multidisciplinary and rapidly expanding field are expected to lead to breakthrough solutions for many clinical problems. This course covers the science and technology of materials used in biomedical applications and provides students with an understanding of the challenges involved in engineering materials for the repair or replacement of injured, diseased, or malfunction tissues in the human body.

This course provides research training for exchange students. Students work on a research project under the guidance of assigned faculty members. Through a full-time commitment, students improve their research skills by participating in the different phases of research, including development of research plans, proposals, data analysis, and presentation of research results. A pass/no pass grade is assigned based a progress report, self-evaluation, midterm report, presentation, and final report.

This course covers the basic theories of material science. Topics include atomic structure and interatomic bonding, structures of metals and ceramics, imperfections in solids, mechanical properties, deformation and strengthening mechanisms, failure, structures and properties of metals and alloys, applications and processing of metal and alloys, structures and properties of ceramics, and applications and processing of ceramics.