Nanoestructured Materials

Students who have taken the course are expected to be able to:
• understand the main concepts of nanomaterial sciences
• know and understand the different strategies for the preparation of colloids and nanostructured materials
• attain a global and multidisciplinary vision of nanomaterials
• know the commercial and potential applications of nanostructured materials.

1. Introduction to nanoscience and nanotechnology
2. Fundamentals of nanomaterials: classification, size effects on optical, electrical, catalytic, magnetic and thermal properties, etc.
3. Synthesis of nanomaterials: 1-D / 2-D nanomaterials and 3-D nanomaterials.
4. Self-assembly: principles and applications.
5. Nanostructured soft materials: biologically based nanomaterials (biopolymers, nanoscale biological assemblies, biomimetic materials), polymeric-based nanostructured materials (polymer composites and nanocomposites), (block copolymers: preparation and applications), organic/inorganic hybrid materials.

Essentials in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, N. Kumar and S. Kumbhat, 2016 John Wiley & Sons
Advanced Nanomaterials, K. E. Geckeler, H. Nishide, 2010 John Wiley & Sons
Fundamentals, Properties, and Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites, J. H. Koo, 2016 Cambridge University Press.
Introduction to Soft Matter: Synthetic and Biological Self-Assembling Materials. HAMLEY, I. W., John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK. 2007
Nanostructured Materials, Processing, Properties and Applications. 2nd Edition, C. C. Koch Elsevier. 2007.
Physical Properties of Materials. M.A. White, 2n Edition, CRC Press, 2011.

Complementary
Design of Nanostructures: Self-Assembly of Nanomaterials, H. B. Bohidar, K. Rawat, 2016 John Wiley & Sons
Nanobiomaterials, Nanostructured Materials for Biomedical Applications. 1st Edition. R. Narayan, Woodhead Publishing, 2017.

General and basic-subject skills:
- CB6: Possess and understand the knowledge that provides a basis or an opportunity for being creative and unique in the development and/or implementation of ideas, often in a research context.
- CB7: Students should know how to use the knowledge acquired and their problem-solving capacity in new or little known environments within wider (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study.
- CG1: Know how to use the knowledge acquired for practical problem solving in the field of research and innovation, in the multidisciplinary context of biological chemistry and molecular materials.
- CG3: Be able to discuss and communicate ideas, in both oral and written form, to specialised and non-specialised audiences (congresses, conferences, etc.) in a clear and reasoned way.
- CG7: Be capable of working in multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with other specialists, both nationally and internationally.
- CG8: Be able to use scientific literature and develop the judgement needed for its interpretation and use.

Transversal skills:
- CT1: Develop teamwork skills: cooperation, leadership and good listening skills. Adapt to multidisciplinary teams.
- CT6: Be capable of adapting to changes by being self-motivated when applying new and advanced technologies and other relevant developments.

Specific skills:
- CE13: Know the magnitudes that determine materials’ properties at the nanoscale.
- CE15: Students should be familiarized with nanotechnology methods and usefulness for studying processes of medical and biological interest

Attendance to these classes is compulsory and non-attendance will have a negative effect on the summative assessment. The methodology consists in:
A) Large-group lectures: teaching sessions conducted by a lecturer covering different aspects (theory, problems and/or examples, course guidelines…). The topics covered in the lectures will be based on the contents of the recommended bibliography in the syllabus of the course.
B) Interactive classes (Seminars): classes in which specific topics and eventual exercises are proposed and discussed. In some of the seminars, assessment activities will be carried out. The marks obtained in these activities will be part of the student assessment.
C) Tutorials: Students attend tutorials scheduled by the lecturer. This activity will involve discussion of questions or difficulties related to the course contents. This class may include assessment activities.
D) Presentations by students on topics previously proposed, including discussion with fellows


*The expositive and interactive teaching, the tutorials and final tests will be in person.

1. Student assessment will have two components:
1.1. Summative assessment (50 %), consisting of:
• Seminars work (40 %)
• Presentation and Tutorial work (10 %)
1.2. Final Exam (50 %)

2. Assessment of seminars, presentation by students and tutorials will be based on the results of the different assessment activities carried out during the course.

3. The final examination consists in a series of questions aiming to assess students’ knowledge and competencies. A minimum mark of 3.5 over 10 is necessary in order to average with the summative assessment mark.

4. The final mark will be the result of equation:
Final mark = max(0.5 x N1+ 0.5 x N2, N2)
where:
N1 = Summative assessment mark
N2 = Final exam mark

Competence assessment
seminars: CB7, CG3, CG8, CT1, C13, C15
presentations and tutorials: CB6, CB7, CG3, CG7, CG8, CT1, CT7, C13
final exam: CB6, CG3, C13, C15

In-class work time
• Large-group lectures (14 hours)
• Small-group interactive classes (Seminars) (4 hours)
• Tutorials (1 hour)
• Presentations by students (2 hours)
• Final examination (3 hours)
• Total in-class work time (24 hours)

Out-of-class study time
• Individual or in-group self-study (36 hours)
• Preparation of oral presentations and written assignments (10 hours)
• Library work (5 hours)
• Total out-of-class work time (51 hours)

Total work 75 hours

• Attendance to lectures is highly recommended.
• It is important to keep up to date in studying the course material.
• After reading a chapter/topic in the textbook/lecture article, it is useful to write a summary of the important points, identifying the basic concepts that should be remembered and understood, and know when they apply.

Classes will be held in English