Introduction to Materials Science
Instructor: Esen Ercan Alp
Spring 2011
Materials science, a branch of science dealing with structure, synthesis and utilization of materials, is a hybrid science, representing and re-formulating knowledge gained by more traditional branches like chemistry, physics, biology, metallurgy, and engineering. However, as humankind’s abilities to comprehend, command and modify the properties of materials improved over the millennia, a distinct branch of science emerged around 1950’s and gained acceptance and recognition in the universities and industrial research laboratories. As the development of silicon based technologies and their impact on our society presents a well understood and much appreciated example, there are numerous cases where materials development is the critical component in every aspect of human life, health, economics, security, and leisure alike. In this class, Dr. Alp will reflect on his thirty years of experiences in dealing with materials issues.
There will be a class visit to Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source, the nation’s most advanced synchrotron source, where Dr. Alp performs his experiments.
Grading is based on 1 mid-term and a final exam (30 % each), and weekly homework (30 %). 10% will be given based on class interaction to encourage students to participate as full partners in the learning process.
The class books for reference is:
- Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering, Willliam F. Smith and Javad Hashemi, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0-07-29358-6
Course Contents
- Structure of atoms and the Periodic Table as a Tool
-atomic size
-electron count
-electron binding energies
-characteristic x-rays and fluoresecnece lines
-beyond periodic table at extreme conditions
-isotopes
-unstable elements
- Structure of materials
-crystals: polycrystals, single crystals, quasicrystals
-amorphous materials and glasses
-nano-materials and thin films
-liquids
-methods of structure determination: microscopy, diffraction, scattering and spectroscopy,thermal and electrical properties
- Material classification : Is it still valid ?
-Traditional classification of metals, ceramics and polymers
-Transformation from one class to another
-Nano-materials: Are they new?
- Synthesis of new materials, further development of known materials
-Extraction & purification
-Alloying
-New and modern methods: CVD and its variations, Laser ablation and sputtering, evaporation and plasma spraying, high-pressure synthesis
-Mechanisms underlying synthesis: diffusion, melting, nucleation and growth
- Mechanical properties and their modification
-Elasticity and plasticity
-Ductility, toughness, hardness, malleability, fatigue, creep, and fracture
- The most advanced and least understood phase diagram: Fe-C
-Why Fe-C ?
-What do we know
-Stable versus metastable, role of kinetics, impact of Fe-C on civilization
- New materials:
-Materials for Energy: Solar energy conversion, energy storage, tribology, superconductors, thermoelectrics, magnetoresistance, multi-ferroics, carbon nano-tubes, meta-materials