Nanotechnology
Summary
This course gives the basics for understanding nanotechnology from an engineer's perspective: physical background, materials aspects and scaling laws, fabrication and imaging of nanoscale devices.
Content
Nanoscale phenomena
- Nanoscale phenomena: basic considerations
- Atomic structure & molecular structure & band structure
- Intermolecular forces & adsorption
- Examples of nanoscale phenomena
Nano-fabrication & nanoscale imaging
- Nanolithography for R&D prototyping
- Nanolithography for industry
- Nanoscale imaging
Keywords
Nanotechnology, quantum phenomena, materials, nanofabrication, lithography, fluidics, self-assembly, materials properties, characterisation, microscopy, nanoprobes
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
- Physics (basics of electromagnetism)
Recommended courses
- Microstructuration / MEMS
- Chemistry (basics)
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Define the quantum physics origin of nanoscale effects
- Describe the principal methods for nanomaterials synthesis
- Discriminate between different mechanisms influencing properties of nanomaterials and nanostructures and the involved length scales
- Describe
- the principal nanostructuration techniques
- Derive interactions between nano-scale objects
- Compare the different available methods for nanostructure characterisation & observation, as well as their advantages/disadvantages
- Synthesize the effects of quantum physics on nano-scale physicochemical properties
- Choose an appropriate method for nanomaterial synthesis
- Propose a nanostructuration technique and process optimisations
- Propose a nanofabrication technique and process optimisations
- Describe the principal nanofabrication techniques
Transversal skills
- Assess one's own level of skill acquisition, and plan their on-going learning goals.
- Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
Teaching methods
Ex-cathedra course
Assessment methods
Oral exam
Supervision
| Office hours | Yes |
| Assistants | No |
| Forum | No |
Resources
Bibliography
See bibliography in coursebook
Ressources en bibliothèque
Notes/Handbook
Slides will be made available on the MOODLE MICRO 530 (see link below)
Students without any background in micro and nanofabrication can follow the EPFL EDX MOOC lecture on MEMS to get the basics in cleanroom fabrication techniques (see link below)
Websites
Moodle Link
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Nanotechnology
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Nanotechnology
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Nanotechnology
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: Oral (summer session)
- Subject examined: Nanotechnology
- Lecture: 3 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks