The aim of the course is to understand the fundamental relationships that exist between structure, properties, processing and final performance of materials. Emphasis will also be placed on the study of the effect (description of phenomena/mechanisms) of the external environment (stress, wear….) on the fundamental characteristics of materials at the micro- and macro-structural level.
The course will focus on fundamental concepts-phenomena-processes that stem from the structure (Atomic structure and interatomic bonding in solids. Structure of crystalline and amorphous solids. Elementary theory of energy band structures in solids. Electrons and holes in semiconductors. Surface properties of solids-surface tension, chemical activity. Diffusion in crystalline solids. Ionic conductivity. Solid electrolytes). The ultimate goal will be to understand the macroscopic properties (mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, optical, rheological, surface) of the solid phase (crystalline, amorphous solids) at microscopic and nanoscopic level and the effect of external conditions on them as well as to investigate the structure-properties relationship.
Understanding this relationship is the basis for all areas of materials (metallurgy, surface treatments, microelectronics, sensors, optoelectronics, biomedical technology).
- Atomic structure and interatomic bonding in solids. Potential energy functions.
- Structure of crystalline and amorphous solids.
- Structure of crystalline and amorphous solids (continued).
- Elementary theory of energy band structures. Electrons and holes in the semiconductors. Types of semiconductors.
- Surface properties of solids – surface tension, chemical activity.
- Diffusion in crystalline solids.
- Ionic conductivity. Solid electrolytes.
- Understanding of the macroscopic properties of the solid phase (in crystalline, amorphous solids) at microscopic and nanoscopic level and of the effect of external conditions on them. Structure-properties- performance correlations.
- Mechanical properties.
- Mechanical properties (continued).
- Thermal properties
- Electrical/ magnetic properties
- Optical properties
- Rheological, surface properties
