MSE 547 Introduction to Surface Science

Sem. 1. Class 3, cr. 3. (offered in alternate years). Prerequisite:  Junior Standing

MSE 547 is an elective course.

Weekly Schedule: Three 50-minute lectures.

Surface Science is extremely important in today’s products and the high-level research that is being explored.   Courses and texts that treat the subject are exclusively from the viewpoint of physical chemistry and surface physics of hard surfaces and do poor treatments of 3-phase, fluid, and soft material systems.  To wit: materials science curricula, when discussing Young’s equation, focus on grain boundaries and such.  However, to understand why water may sheet freshly washed glassware but bead on the same glass after sitting on a shelf, or to understand why Teflon is non-stick, or why certain materials are used in the biomedical industry one must have a broader view of surface science.  In this class, one will attain an overview surface science.  The student will be enabled such that reading a journal article the student will understand what was done, why, and what it means for science.  The class will teach common characterization methods of surfaces, learn the physics through how they act, and common ways of modifying a surface.  No grain boundaries here!

Relation of Course to Program Outcomes
1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to problems in materials engineering.
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems, particularly in the context of materials selection and design.
7. an ability to exhibit effective oral and written communication skills.

Goals
To analyze properties of a surfaces and correlate them to structure, chemistry, and physics.  To know methods for the characterization of surfaces and what information they such methods give.  To know current methods for the modification of surfaces.

Course Objectives

  • Upon completion of the course, the student is able to:
  • Understand, predict and design surface properties based on surface structure
  • Understand the physics and chemistry behind surface phenomenae.
  • Suggest common characterization techniques for the determination of surface structure.
  • Know state-of-the-art methods for the medication of surface structure.

Instructor(s)
Jeffrey Youngblood

Contribution of course to meeting the professional component:  MSE 547 is a materials-specific technical elective course.

Prepared by: Elliott Slamovich                                                            Date: April 23rd, 2007