This course forms part of an MSc programme on Nanoscale Science and Technology. We start with an introduction to magnetism for the non-specialist, and proceed to the magnetic parameters which are influenced when length scales approach the nanometer range. Bulk, thin film and heterogeneous materials are considered. There is a discussion of probes for studying nanomagnetic materials. The role of nanostructure on exchange interactions and remanence enhancement, surfaces and interfaces on anisotropy and magnetoelasticity and nanofabrication on magnetotransport are introduced. Micromagnetic modelling is introduced. A range of applications including magnetic memory, nanostructured magnets, spin-electronics and microelectromechanical devices are outlined.

This module introduces key concepts involved in materials science to cover general aspects and applications of metallic, polymeric and inorganic materials. Topics covered include; chemical bonding; basic crystallography of crystalline materials; crystal defects; mechanical properties and strength of materials; phase diagrams and transformations; overviews of metals and alloys; polymers and inorganic solids. Lectures will be supplemented with laboratory exercises based on; construction of a binary phase diagram; crystallography; health and safety regulations in the work place.

This unit aims to give students:

• Knowledge and understanding of bonding, structure, defects, phase transformations and applications of metals, polymers and inorganic solids;
• Significant insight into the mechanical properties and strength of materials;
• A sound grounding in the construction and application of equilibrium phase diagrams to materials science;
• Knowledge and understanding regarding health and safety regulations in the work place.

This module introduces the processes and technologies involved in the production of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites and the experimental methods used to characterise these materials. Topics covered are broken into two areas:

• Fabrication and processing of materials, e.g. powder, thermomechanical and polymer/composites.
• Analysis of materials using a range of techniques, e.g. diffraction, spectroscopy, and thermal analysis

This unit aims to give students:

• Knowledge and comprehension of the material fabrication technologies
• Knowledge and comprehension of an extended range of analytical techniques and how they can used in the development of new materials

This module develops students’ skills in 3 linked areas:

• materials characterisation laboratory skills including safe methods of working, completion of COSHH and risk assessments, and measurements using a range of practical techniques
• the use of computers for data handling and analysis together with an introduction to modelling
• the skills needed to search for scientific literature as well as technical skills for presenting data, including how to avoid plagiarism, referencing, formatting documents, drawing high quality graphs, critically reviewing literature and giving presentations.

This unit aims to prepare students to undertake practical and modelling based research in Materials Science and Engineering. To achieve this overall aim students will undertake:

• a set of guided practical experiments exposing them to a) necessary health and safety protocols and b) a range of materials characterisation techniques
• computer based data handling and modelling
• literature based research and review
• presentations

Course Objectives

By the end of the unit, a candidate will be able to:

• Complete essential health and safety forms (COSHH, RACIE)
• Safely undertake practical work in materials science and engineering
• Analyse data obtained from practical and modelling experiments
• Confidently use selected scientific computational software
• Search and critically analyse scientific literature
• Coherently present the results of their work verbally and written form

This course introduces nanostructures (free-standing nanoobjects or assemblies of these, or nanopores in porous materials), and methods of nanopatterning and nanocharacterisation (nanometrology, nanomechanical testing). There is particular emphasis on nanoparticles, nanotubes, composite nanotubes, nanowires and belts. Also considered are 3-D framework nanostructures, including zeolitic nanoporous and mesoporous materials, and opal and inverse opal structures, and composite nanomaterials generated from these porous materials. The nanopatterning methods introduced concentrate on focused ion beam and, focused electron beam technology. Mechanical imprint methods are also covered.

This module gives students an overview over concepts in the basic understanding and applications of selected types of nanomaterials, complementing sister modules MAT6720, and MAT6390: The core topics of the module comprise: (i) nanocomposite materials, (ii) 2D nanomaterials, including graphene and graphene-composites, (iii) nanocrystalline ceramics, (iv) bio-nanomaterials, as well as the overarching topics of (v) thin films and deposition techniques, and (vi) principles of nano-mechanics.

This module aims to:

• give students up-to-date training in the field of nanomaterials, an important branch of nanotechnology, such as to turn them into highly sought-after candidates for both further academic studies and industrial recruitment (MSc) and to prepare them for nanomaterials research in an academic environment.
• complement introductory knowledge in nanomaterials provided by the sister-modules with a selection of more advanced and more specialised topics.
• provide transferable skills ranging from literature searching to essay writing and the preparation of PowerPoint presentations.

This module examines both the transfer of heat to/from materials and thermally activated processes that occur during the manufacture of materials due to the transfer of heat into materials. There is also some consideration of the effects of heat during use. Thus conduction, convection and radiative heat transfer, on their own and in combination are considered, followed by an examination of diffusion (Fick’s laws) and sintering (solid state, liquid phase and viscous glass sintering). Finally creep phenomena are considered.
The aims of the taught component of this unit are:

• Significant insight into the importance of thermal phenomena in the manufacture of materials;
• A sound grounding in and the ability to carry out relevant calculations in heat transfer related phenomena in the context of materials processing ;
• A sound understanding of the processes of sintering in some areas of materials manufacture;
• A sound understanding of the processes of creep that occur when materials are used at a significant fraction of their melting temperature.

The aims of the case study of this unit are to:

• Develop and consolidate the students' knowledge and understanding of high temperature materials and particularly of creep;
• Investigate, in small groups, a topic relating to the processing or use of high temperature materials (e.g. in a gas turbine engine); further experience of working in a team to gather information on the allocated topic and prepare a written report.

By the end of the unit, a candidate will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of heat transfer in materials manufacturing and be able to undertake heat transfer calculations for a variety of simplified processing problems;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of diffusion based phenomena in materials manufacture and use and be able to undertake relevant calculations;
• Demonstrate an understanding of sintering processes in materials manufacture;
• Demonstrate an understanding of creep phenomena in materials in use;
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the materials used in the application being studied and why they are selected;
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of one aspect of high temperature materials in the application being studied e.g. single crystal turbine blades for gas turbine engines;
• Demonstrate experience of group work under time pressure

This module is designed to provide students with an understanding of both the design and manufacture of composite materials and is presented in two sections. In the design of composites section, classical laminate theory is introduced followed by both hand and computer based calculations to design effective composite materials. In the manufacturing of composites section, the materials and manufacturing techniques are described, along with important practical issues such as repair, defects, testing and SMART materials.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand and implement classical laminate theory to design simple composite components for a specific end user requirement;
• Use a modern laminate design computer package (ESAComp) to create and test more complicated composite components;
• Select appropriate reinforcements and matrices for a given application;
• Select appropriate composite manufacturing techniques for a given application and describe each process in detail including advantages and disadvantages;
• Understand how issues such as manufacturing defects, machining, joining and repairing affect the properties of composite materials;
• Understand testing of composites, including both destructive and non-destructive testing methods.

The bulk and surface properties of materials used for regenerative medicine and dental applications directly influence and control the dynamic interactions at the interfacial level. Therefore, it is not only important to understand Structural and Physical Properties of Materials but also view it as a process between the implanted materials and the host environment.

The unit aims to provide a wide and in-depth knowledge of Structural and Physical Properties relationship with Materials. Furthermore, students will learn about the bulk and surface properties of materials, mechanical properties of materials, finite element analysis, degradation of materials, and characterisation of materials. The module will allow students to relate properties of materials to clinical and dental applications.

This module aims to develop students’ understanding of materials (ferrous and non ferrous alloys, ceramics, films) used for energy generation, storage and utilisation.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the importance of materials for energy generation;
• Understand the advantages and limitations of different materials for different applications;
• Understand issues related to sustainability and Life Cycle Analysis;
• Write a popular-science article.

The course content reflects the highly interdisciplinary nature of the subject of nanomaterials and allows students to specialise via choice of the research project.

The project will provide the opportunity to join a materials-related research group of your choice for one third of the total course.