Synthesis | Molecular Modeling | Optical Properties | Nanocomposites | Imaging | Application | Ethics
Basic concepts and definitions of nanomaterials. Synthesis of nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. Properties of nanomaterials based on quantum-confinement and surface-to-volume ratio. Scanning and electron probe technology for nanomaterials characterization. Application of nanomaterials. Societal impact of Nanotechnology.
Synthesis
Goal: Be familiar with synthetic routes to nanomaterials.
Topics
-Synthesis of inorganic, organic, and biological active nanomaterials
-Vapor deposition & ligand stabilization (q-dots)
-Carbon nanotubes
-Functionalized biological molecules (DNA, lipids, proteins)
Nanoscale Modeling
Goal: Be able to apply standard computational packages for molecular dynamics simulation to structural and transport aspects at the nanoscale.
Topics:
-Atomistic computer modeling
-Phases of matter
-Liquid structure
-Liquid-solids interactions
Optical and Electronic Properties of Nanomaterials
Goal: Be able to explain how the dimensions of a material affect the interaction of light and matter.
Topics:
-Surface plasmons
-Engineering of group velocity dispersion
-Enhancement of Faraday effect
-Nanotubes for detection or emission of light
Mechanical Properties of Nanomaterials and Composites
Goal: Be able to predict and calculate mechanical properties of nanomaterials and composites containing nanomaterials.
Topics:
-Mechanical behavior of nanoparticles, nanotubes, and their composites
-Size-dependent effects
-Petch-Hall equation
-Nanomaterials as reinforcements
Imaging of Nanomaterials
Goal: Be familiar with the operating principles and limitations of scanning and electron probe techniques.
Topics:
-Introduction to molecular interactions and molecular orbital theory
-Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
-Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)
-Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
Applications
Goal: Be able to describe existing and potential applications of nanotechnology.
Topic:
-AMGEN: biomedical devices
-IBM: electronic applications
-MERCK and P&G: materials application
Societal/Ethics
Goal: Be familiar with environmental, ethical, health related and economical, issues associated with nanomaterials.
Topics:
-Societies reaction to nanotechnology: popular media in Science and Eng.
-Ethical issues: Can or should we control the development of Nanotech?
-Environmental issues
-Health issues