Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding: This course will highlight the working methodology in materials research through the study of three different classes of materials.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
The student will be able to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge in the day to day practice in the field of materials science.
The students will have to acquire the following additional skills:
a) memorize and understand fundamental concepts (learning skills);
b) analyze the problems of materials and offer specific solutions (learning skills)
c) correlate and compare solutions (making judgements);
d) use them as theoretical background to tackle topics in materials science not necessarily handled during the course, but connected with it (making judgements)
e) adaptability to different working conditions (making judgements)
f) explain them in an organize way using a proper scientific language (communication skills).
g) teamworking and multidisciplinarity (communication skills)
Prerequisites
Basic courses in organic, physical and polymer chemistry
Course unit content
Aim of the course: Functional materials represent one of the frontiers of chemical research. This course will highlight the working methodology in materials research through the study of two different classes of materials, namely liquid crystals and advanced polymers. For each class physical, chemical and application aspects will be discussed in a comprehensive way.
Self-assembly: Nanofabrication via self-assembly and self-organization, transfer of the molecular properties to the macroscopic properties.
Liquid crystals: Definition, physical properties, types of mesophases, synthesis, structure-property relationship, characterization, electrical and optical properties. LC polymers. Applications: LCD, thermochromism, flat panel TV, etc.
Chemical sensors: Working principle of piezoelectric and optical sensors. Sensing materials like ionophores, host-guest compounds, etc. Applications: gas sensors, liquid sensors, artificial olfactory systems.
Specialty polymers: Conductive and self-healing polymers. Design, synthesis and functional properties
Full programme
See the contenuti part.
Bibliography
Handsout slides and tutorials provided by the teacher.
Support text for basic concepts: E. V. Anslyn, D. A. Dougherty, Modern Physical Organic Chemistry, University Science Books, California, 2006.
Teaching methods
Classes and tutorials (72 hours).
Slides and handsout are available on Elly at the beginning of the course.
Assessment methods and criteria
Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will be able to design a functional material as function of the application.
Written and oral examination.
To verify the level of learning achieved, written tests with open questions will be employed. The questions will span all the topics treated during the course. This type of examination allows to determine in an absolute and comparative fashion:
1) the competence on the different subjects;
2) the ability in giving precise answers to specific questions;
3) the presentation skills;
4) the exactness of the scientific language employed.
Each question will be given a mark from 0 to 5, corrected, if needed, with a weighting scheme related to the difficulty of the question. All the marks will be summed up and scaled to yield a grade in the 30/30 range. The oral examination will determine the ability of the candidate to connect and apply the notions acquired in the frame of real case. The oral will add 0 to 3 points to the grade of the written examination.
Other information
Handsout are available online.
The teacher is available for explanations by appointment. At least 5 exam dates per session.
