PHY 4999/ MY 4970 / SS3990
Fundamentals of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Spring 2005
John Jaszczak, Physics 102 Fisher (7-2255, )
Bruce Seely,Social Sciences 215 Acad. Off. Bldg (7-2113; )
Course Web Site:
GENERAL
This class is designed to be an introductory seminar on the topic of nanotechnology. Although assigned a 4000-series (upper division) number, the course will be oriented toward first and second year students, and all MTU students are welcome.
The class has a couple of general goals.First, we intend to examine three specific aspects of nanotechnology: (1) the basic science underlying the field; (2) aspects of engineering and scientific applications at the nanoscale; and (3) the societal implications of nanoscale science and engineering. In a two -credit course, we cannot explore any dimension in great depth. But we intend to give you a working knowledge of the basics in each area.Second, we hope to familiarize students with the trends of current research in nanotechnology.A number of MTU faculty will deliver short presentations on their work and their fields of expertise.Third, we will ask students to explore a specific topic of their choosing, preparing a report that summarizes their findings and then presenting a summary of that report to the class.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Because this is a two-credit course, we have scaled the work load accordingly. The main expectations we have are that you will attend all class meetings and read the assigned text by Ratner and Ratner, Nanotechnology: A Gentle Introduction to the Next Big Thing. Most weeks the reading involves one, or at most two, chapters. It is likely that we will identify other readings on occasion – mainly new articles – to accompany some of the course topics. We will try and make these available to you electronically or through the library’s electronic database facilities.
It is important that you complete the reading assigned for each class period, given our plans for the class meetings. This is a seminar, which means that students bear partial responsibility for the conduct of the class. We assume that in an elective class like this, you want to be here, and will accept that responsibility and come prepared and ready to participate. In practical terms, a seminar means we will spend part of each hour discussing the assigned reading. A significant part of the final course grade will rest on participation, determined by attendance at the class sessions or lectures and on actual contributions to class discussions.
We also expect each student to undertake a small research project to explore the state of the art in some area of nanoscience or nano-enginering. You choose the topic, clearing it with one of the faculty members involved.We will provide a style sheet and complete project description. We expect the paper to be 7-10 pages in length. Among the questions to think about in selecting a topic are these: What is the state of the art inX area of nano research? What are the scientific or engineering challenges facing researchers in a given domain (biomedical engineering, computing, manufacturing, etc.)? What are the scientific implications of work at this scale for a given field of science and engineering? What tools are required to advance nanoscale work? We plan to arrange for project reports to be delivered poster session-style at the end of the term.The only other requirement will be that every projectmust include attention to the societal implications of the area under investigation. Full details will be distributed after the course is underway. Each student will then present their paper to the class during Week 13. A poster style presentation is recommended.
We will not give exams or quizzes, given the seminar style. We may, however, ask that students prepare quick reaction assignment that will not be graded. You will be asked to fill out a “Most Memorable Item” sheet after every class. Four short paperswill be assigned.
RESOURCES
As mentioned, the main resource for the class is the Ratner and Ratner book. But important tools for the class include the Nano Education web site on the Physics home page: contains general information, including materials about on-going nano activities at Michigan Tech. The STUDENT section of the page will include the syllabus and other information for this course, as well as updates about assignments, links to readings, and other materials of interest to the class. We’ll make sure you have the URL once the page is set up. We will maintain course email lists – you have already been notified about them. You can use these moderated lists to ask questions of the faculty, while we will use them for communications to the class.
GRADES
Class Participation30%,
Research Project40%
In-class, short papers30%
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
The schedule shown below is subject to change during the course of the semester, as we make adjustments that fit the desires of the class and the schedules of the faculty and outside participants. The first eight weeks are pretty well set, and the main outline of the remaining weeks should not change much. We will fill in the topics for a few of the later classes shortly and announce other adjustments in advance. Watch the web site for changes and additions.
Week 1Course Introduction
Background lecture
Week 2
1/18:Scientific Fundamentals
Dr. Jaszczak
Read Ratner, Chapter 3
1/20Scientific Fundamentals(cont.)
1st short paper due
Week 3
1/25Discuss two short papers, chapters 1 & 2
2nd short –paper (Nano in the home) due
1/27Lecture: Engineering at the Nanoscale: (Dr. Craig Friedrich)
Read Ratner, chap. 4
Week 4
2/1Visit Materials Lab
2/3Visit Materials Lab
Week 5
2/8Societal Implications of Nanoscale Science and Engineering: Ethics
Read Ratner, Chap. 11
Dr. Seely
2/10Winter Carnival: No Class
Week 6
2/15Show Film: Gattaca
2/17Film (cont.)
Week 7
2/22Economic and Social Implications Fundamentals
2/24General Discussion on Implications
3rd short paper on societal implications due
Week 8
3/1Nano in the real world
Read Ratner, chap. 10
Dr. Frank Underdown, Nano entrepreneur
3/3Nano in the News Project discussion
3rdshort paper due
SPRING BREAK
Weeks9-12Focus on Nano Applications
3/15READ Ratner, Chapter 6
Over the next 4 weeks, several speakers will present information on their research and their sense of the opportunities for development in several key areas. Several, but not all, of the presentations will be keyed to chapters in Ratner.
Topics: Nano and Biology, Sensors and Electronics, Photonics, Nano and materials science, Carbon nanotubes, Biomedical Engineering, and a discussion with a Ford Motor Company research scientist
March 24Guest Speaker: Dr. John Ginder, Ford Research
April 14Wrap-up: Class discussion of Nano applications
Week 13
April 19 & 21Student presentations
Poster Session; major papers due
Week 14
April 26Davis Baird, University of South Carolina (tentative)
April 28Molecular Assembly discussion/ 4thshort paper due