After this course, you will be able to:
Understand the fundamentals of nanomaterials such as
1. Its properties and applications
Describe requirements of nanomaterials (films/layers) for a specific application and Compare nanomaterials and defend the most suitable material choice for a certain research application
2. Its fabrication and characterization
Explain why a cleanroom is required, compare commonly used deposition methods, defend the most suitable deposition choice for a research application and explain which nanomaterial properties can be measured based on the description of a measurement principle/technique
3. Its transport during synthesis
Describe the steps involved in a CVD process/mechanism, describe the Reynolds number and its different flow regimes possible in CVD reactors and describe the diffusion coefficient and dependence on temperature
4. Its chemistry during synthesis
List and recognise types reactions of CVD, calculate the activation energy based on temperature dependence deposition rate and explain how the CVD reaction rate generally scales with important process parameters, such as temperature, pressure and flow rate
5. Its physical deposition mechanism
Explain the basic concepts of PVD techniques, discuss influence of important vacuum deposition chamber parameters and argue the pros and cons of PVD with respect to CVD
Apply the scientific method to compose the project plan:
◦ State problem or question
◦ Execute background/literature research
◦ Construct hypothesis/hypotheses (original/new ideas)
◦ Formulate expectations (for example by a sketch of an expected trend)
◦ Design an experiment (process) for a specific application/device, testing the proposed hypothesis/hypotheses
Apply the scientific method to the project report (research cycle):
◦ Analyse measured nanomaterial properties
◦ Interpret/discuss the measured data (what do the results mean? How reliable are they?)
◦ Draw conclusions
◦ Reflect on performed study (compare to expectations/hypotheses)
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Introduce students into performing research on nanomaterials with respect to its fundamentals, synthesis and applications
The topic of the course is synthesis of nanomaterials using advanced deposition techniques. The first part of the course (the PBLs) is on the general fundamentals of nanomaterials, covering commonly used advanced deposition methods for nanomaterials. This will serve as a basis for understanding top-down deposition of nanomaterials, with a focus on its synthesis for research applications. In the second part, students will perform a full research cycle, i.e. a trajectory consisting of a background study, formulation of a hypothesis, experimental design (fabrication), analysis (verification) and reporting.
Because of the link to specific active research, the topic of this second part is flexible. It links to active research projects within research groups, coupled to the course by the involved teachers. An example of such research topic is an optical component that involves large area freestanding transparent thin films, called pellicles, a research topic within the XUV optics group for which synthesis is performed mainly in the Nanolab cleanroom. In this manner, the course offers a fundamental understanding together with a full research cycle linking to scientific interests in addition to potential industry relevancy.
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