6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Chief examiner(s)
Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Varghese Swamy
Unit guides
Synopsis
Sustainable engineering and design with nanomaterials explores the selection, design and characterising of nanomaterials in developing sustainable engineering solutions that are verified using the life cycle assessment tool to enable students to design nanomaterials which are beneficial to the social and economic advancement. Examples include mineral nanotubes, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, polymer nanocomposites, and bionanocomposites. The ability to design nanomaterials are developed through an appreciation of the theory and working principles of various preparation methods and characterisation techniques.
Outcomes
The unit aims to develop an in-depth understanding towards designing and characterising nano-structured materials such as polymer nanocomposites and bionanocomposites. This unit also develops the knowledge and skills for sustainable engineering with nanomaterials as measured using the life cycle assessment. This unit involves an experimental project where students would be guided on how to design, prepare and characterise the composites materials using advance material preparation and analytical equipment.
At the completion of this unit, student should be able to:
- Describe various properties of natural and synthetic nanomaterials and to be able to relate their structure-property to the processing and performance requirements for sustainable engineering
- Select and design nanomaterials for use in engineering applications that lead to improvements in their lifecycle analysis
- Reproduce and design nanomaterials by electrospinning and chemical processing methods
- Analyse the morphological and structural properties of nanomaterials characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction analysis, atomic force microscopy and instrumented impact tester
Assessment
Continuous assessment: 50%
Final Examination (2 hours): 50%
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.
Workload requirements
3 hours lectures, 2 hours practical/laboratory classes and 7 hours of private study per week.
See also Unit timetable information