PHS2622

Functional materials

(SCI)

Associate Professor Graham Edward

6 points + Three 1-hour lecture/tutorial classes and one 3-hour laboratory class per week + Second semester + Clayton + Prohibition: MSC2022

Synopsis: In this subject, the "smart" functional roles of the materials in selected modern devices will be examined. Subject will focus on devices such as, active semiconducting devices and associated passive electrical components, "smart" transducers, optical fibres, optical coatings, liquid crystal displays, optical storage devices, the ruby laser, the solar cell, ceramic insulators, the Peltier cooler. In each application the important electrical, thermal and/or optical property of the functional materials will be studied at the microscopic (atomic and/or molecular) level in order to gain an understanding of the device operation. Also, some discussion will focus on device fabrication.

Assessment: Examinations (3 hours): 60% + Laboratory work: 15% + Laboratory notebook reports: 15% + six written assignments: 10%