Module overview
This course will focus on nanomaterials, chemical synthesis and technological developments. This is a multidisciplinary module involving chemistry, physics and biology.
The course will consist of 20 lectures plus the equivalent of four lectures for independent study.
Students will be given non-assessed problems sheets and are expected to solve these in their own time. They will also be given some directed reading.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Cognitive Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Be able to critically evaluate nanotechnology concepts and therefore be equipped to delve deeper into nanotechnology research
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Understand the the physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials.
- Understand and describe the use of unique optical properties of nanoscale metallic structures for analytical and biological applications
- Acquire knowledge of basic approaches to synthesize inorganic colloidal nanoparticles and their self-assembly in solution and surfaces
- Demonstrate understanding characterization techniques for nanomaterials
- Recognise the value of oligonucleotides when applied to antigen, antisense and SiRNA technologies
Syllabus
Lecture Content
- Introduction to Nanoscience
- Colloidal nanoparticles: Metal nanoparticles, semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots), perovskite nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, fundamentals of nucleation, influence of ligands in the crystal growth and colloids stabilization, synthesis of anisotropic nanocrystals.
- Spectroscopic characteristics of nanomaterials.
- Self-assembly of nanomaterials: Layer by Layer assembly, block copolymers, self-assembled monolayers, ionic self-assembly, DNA based self-assembly. Self-assembly of inorganic nanospheres
and anisotropic particles, superlattices, tip to tip assembly.
- Scanning Probe Microscopies.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
- Coulomb blockade effect
- Electron microscopies: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
Learning and Teaching
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 10 |
| Follow-up work | 10 |
| Lecture | 20 |
| Wider reading or practice | 98 |
| Completion of assessment task | 2 |
| Revision | 10 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
G.A. Ozin, A.C. Arsenault, L. Cademartiri (2009). Nanochemistry: A Chemical Approach to Nanomaterials. RSC Publishing.
I. W. Hamley (2000). Introduction to Soft Matter. Wiley.
G. Schmid (2004). Nanoparticles: From Theory to Applications. Wiley.
E. W. Wolf (2006). Nanophysics and Nanotechnology. Wiley.
Caruso (2004). Colloids and Colloid Assemblies. Wiley.
G. L. Hornyak, J. Dutta, H.F. Tibbals, A. K. Rae (2008). Introduction to Nanoscience. Taylor and Francis.
G. Cao (2004). Nanostructures and Nanomaterials. Imperial College press.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Final Assessment | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External