ADVANCED NANOMATERIALS CHARACTERISATION
PHY5AMC
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject introduces the fundamental theoretical framework, working principles and instrumentation of a range of techniques used in the morphological, structural and compositional characterisation of nanomaterials. The laboratory components of the subject provide students with intensive instruction and hands-on experience in these techniques enabling them to use these techniques to address a real world problem. Students investigate in depth an individual nanomaterial characterisation techniques with reference to the formal published literature. This subject is available to postgraduate students as part of a group of nanotechnology related subjects which deepen their knowledge of physics and introduce research related skills.
School: School of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Paul Pigram
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in one of the following courses: SMNT or PSMSC or SZHSN or SZHSMN or approval from the Postgraduate Course Advisor.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: PHY2IMG, PHY2SPM
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | An introduction to X-ray spectrometry | Recommended | R. Jenkins, 1974 | Heyden |
| Readings | An introduction to X-ray spectrometry | Recommended | K. L. Williams, 1987 | Allen& Unwin |
| Readings | Computer assisted microscopy | Recommended | J. C. Russ, 1990 | Plenum Press |
| Readings | Electron probe quantitation | Recommended | K. F. J. Heinrich, D.E. Newbury (eds), 1991 | Plenum Press |
| Readings | Elements of X-ray diffraction | Recommended | B. D. Cullity, 1977 | Addison-Wesley |
| Readings | Fundamentals of energy dispersive X-ray analysis | Recommended | J.C. Russ, 1984 | Butterworths |
| Readings | Principles of Quantitative X-ray fluorescence analysis | Recommended | R. Tertain and F. Claisse, 1982 | Heyden |
| Readings | The image processing handbook | Recommended | J.C. Russ, 1995 | Boca Raton: CRC Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Diagrammatically represent, analyse and / or solve conceptual and numerical problems related to nanomaterials characterisation.
- Activities:
- Workshop activity includes training on image analysis. Students are assigned a set of image analysis tasks to perform using the ImageJ software.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. develop hands-on experience in techniques used in nanomaterials characterisation following instrument manuals and / or standard operating procedure.
- Activities:
- Students complete a series of laboratory experiments of three hours duration each, and submit a report that indicates their ability to detail and assess experimental data. Students follow written and verbal laboratory instructions to conduct the experiments accurately and safely.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to others in the area of nanomaterials characterisation.
- Activities:
- The written research review and presentation will be assessed on the clarity on which they can communicate solutions, ideas and findings in an appropriate rigorous manner.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Critically review and analyse research data and interpret the results with reference to the scientific literature in order to develop appropriate conclusions and convey these in a written report.
- Activities:
- Students prepare an individual report in the style of an academic journal article which accurately describes the experiment, its findings and draws appropriate conclusions.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Describe the recent developments in the field of nanomaterials characterisation and identify areas which constitute interesting research problems. Apply research principles and methods applicable to the field of nanomaterials characterisation.
- Activities:
- Students are provided with a research topic related to nanomaterials characterisation. They are expected to conduct a literature search on the research topic and summarise their understanding in a written research review. Students give an oral presentation on their research topic to a peer group and the lecturer.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Paul Pigram
Class requirements
Laboratory ClassWeek: 32 - 43
Six 3.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 32 - 33
One 3.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 32 to week 33 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 x 2 hour end of semester written exam | 50 | 01 | |
| 1 x written research review (1500 word equiv) | 20 | 03, 05 | |
| 1 x extended lab report collated from multiple laboratory sessions (2000 word equiv) | 20 | 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| 1 x 10 min oral presentation on a research topic | 10 | 03, 05 |