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

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

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

• https://go.epfl.ch/MSE-306