Crystalline materials: structures and properties
Summary
The properties of crystals and polycrystalline (ceramic) materials including electrical, thermal and electromechanical phenomena are studied in connection with structures, point defects and phase relations. The students learn how to analyse/predict properties based on structure, symmetry and defects
Content
1. Basic crystalline structures of important materials. Description of symmetry.
2. Use of tensors for description and analysis of anysotropics properties of solids
3. Point defects and their relationship to functional properties.
4. Dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties of crystalline materials
5. Cross-coupled electro-mechanical and thermo-electro-mechanical properties
6. Electronic and ionic conductivity in functional materials (dielectrics, piezoelectrics, and ferroelectrics) and various applications
7. Phase transitions and application-relevant properties of crystalline materials
8. Making use of suitable instruments and techniques for dielectric, transport and electromechanic measurements, analysis and interpretation of experimental results
Keywords
crystal structure; ceramics; point defects; phase equilibria; phase transitions; point groups; conductivity; tensors; semiconductor; elesticity; dielectric; piezoelectric; electrocaloric; ferroelectric; electro-mechanical; transport properties; electrical charaterization
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
General physics; General inorganic chemistry; Mathematical analysis; Introduction to materials;
Important concepts to start the course
chemical bonds; phase transitions; atomic and electronic structure of materials; thermodynamics; microstructure of materials; symmetry of materials; electrostatics
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Predict functional properties of crystalline solids based on their structure
- Analyze anisotropic electrical, mechanical, thermal and cross-coupled thermo-electro-mechanical properties
- Apply the acquired knowledge for development of functional materials
- Select appropriately suitable materials for devices and functional elements with pre-determined characteristics
- Characterize crystalline and ceramic materials and evaluate their potential for various applications
- Design functional elements based on acquired knowledge on electroceramics
Transversal skills
- Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
- Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools
- Collect data.
Teaching methods
Lectures in class (3 h); exercises, discussions and practical demonstrations (2 h)
Expected student activities
Attendance of lectures, doing exercises during class and at home, reading written material, discussion in class, reading and analyzing supplemental materials (journal papers and scientific communications)
Assessment methods
The final grade is attributed based on the grade of the final written exam (5/6) and written test during the semester (1/6)
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | No |
| Forum | No |
Resources
Bibliography
Moulson and Herbert: Electroceramics, Wiley, NY
Newnham: Properties of Materials: Anisotropy, Symmetry, Structure; Oxford University, Oxford
Ressources en bibliothèque
- Moulson and Herbert: Electroceramics, Wiley, NY
- Newnham: Properties of Materials: Anisotropy, Symmetry, Structure; Oxford University, Oxford
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Written (summer session)
- Subject examined: Crystalline materials: structures and properties
- Courses: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Type: mandatory