Unit Code: PHY926

Unit Name: Physics of Nanomaterials and Nanoscience

Description: The usage of nanomaterials is expected to have broad consequences on the design and engineering of many things from ubiquitous consumer products and automotive to buildings and sophisticated systems for aerospace applications, and other industries. The “Physics of Nanomaterials and Nanoscience”, is aimed at the scientific audience and provides fundamental knowledge on the advanced science of nanomaterials and its applications. The syllabus offers a unifying framework for the basic ideas needed to understand recent developments underlying nanomaterials and nanoscience. The course covers nanoscience and nanotechnology, including an introductory outline, the taxonomy of nanostructures and materials, methods of synthesis, novel properties, and characterization of nanostructured materials to recent developments in the field. The purpose of this unit is threefold. First: to the most riveting of things related to nanomaterials and the technical frontier. Second: to introduce the broad spectrum of characterization techniques, a thorough briefing on the principles and concepts from the solid-state physics or physics of materials. Third: to approach the prospect of energy device fabrication employing nanomaterials for improving the quality of technologies. A new generation of researchers, scientists and technologists in materials science has to be trained in the emerging nano disciplines. The PHY909 Physics of Nanomaterials and Nanoscience” is intended to serve such research students. The course will emphasize selected research topics and methods within this field which shed light on the multidisciplinary nature of nanomaterials and science and its contribution to the growth of the area. The present course addresses the involvement of nanoscience, in rapidly evolving facets of the energy domain such as rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, solar cells and hydrogen production which have seen potential development in their efficiencies when compared to their conventional counterpart. It includes ingenuity in material processing, characterization and development of new nanomaterials. “Physics of Nanomaterials and Nanoscience” consists of the topics from elements necessary to understand technical methods of measuring characteristics of novel materials and their effective exploitation within a design context. Postgraduate diploma students that have a foundation in materials science through the unit PHY819“Physics of Materials and advanced materials for clean energy ”, in their previous semesters can be comfortable with the “Physics of Nanomaterials and Nanoscience” as they can able to relate the concepts of material’s structure and properties to comparing with the strangeness of the properties at the nanoscale. The quantum mechanical models applied for understanding the electrical, thermal, magnetic and optical properties of the materials are found to be adaptable to interpret the primary function of the nanomaterials. The atomic diffusion mechanisms analyzed by the student in PHY819“Physics of Materials and advanced materials for clean energy ”, would lead the learner to explain the diffusion process involving in various deposition techniques of thin-film nanomaterials and other nanostructures. However, the students who have completed their graduation with physics, chemistry and mathematics can elect this unit confidently.

Learning Target Outcomes: The course will involve theoretical and practical aspects. As a result of successfully completing this unit, the students will be able to: 1. Evaluate Nanomaterials and Structural effects. 2. Design quantum mechanical models and mechanisms to estimate the properties of nanomaterials. 3. Examine the formation of Nanomaterials. 4. Implement the function of nanomaterials in energy storage and conversion devices. 5. Demonstrate the Size-dependent phenomena in characteristics of Nanomaterials compared with bulk. 6. Demonstrate the functioning of nanomaterials and physics of their properties in photovoltaics and photocatalytic applications. 7. Synthesize different nanomaterials under proper conditions in connection with the intended sustainable and environmental applications.

Prerequisite: PGD/M.Sc Year 1 Pass or equivalent

Prerequisite Sentence: N/A

Credit Point: 30

Offered In: Semester 1,2