Vlasios Mavrantzas: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2016 |
Name | Prof. Dr. Vlasios Mavrantzas (Professor University of Patras (Panepistimion Patron)) |
Address | Professur für Verfahrenstechnik ETH Zürich, ML F 14.2 Sonneggstrasse 3 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
vlasios.mavrantzas@mat.ethz.ch | |
Department | Mechanical and Process Engineering |
Relationship | Lecturer |
Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
151-0619-00L | Introduction to Nanoscale Engineering This class is strictly only for BSc MAVT student. | 5 credits | 2V + 3P | S. E. Pratsinis, V. Mavrantzas, A. Teleki Sotiriou, K. Wegner | |
Abstract | Nano is the new scale in science & engineering as micro was ~150 years ago. This BSc course demands substantial effort! It gives a flavor of nanotechnology with hands-on student projects on gas-phase synthesis of nanoparticles & applications in catalysis, gas sensing and biomedical engineering. Projects are conducted individually under the close supervision of MSc, PhD or post-doctoral students. | ||||
Learning objective | This course aims to familiarize BSc students with some of the basic phenomena of nanoscale, thereby illustrating the links between physics, chemistry, materials science and/or biology through hands-on experience. Furthermore it aims to give an overview of the field with motivating lectures from industry and academia, including the development of technologies and processes based on or involving nanoscale phenomena. Most importantly, this course aims to develop the creativity and sharpen the communication skills of the students through their individual projects, a PERFECT preparation for the BSc thesis (e.g. efficient & critical literature search, effective oral/written project presentations), the future profession itself and even life, in general, as the abc questions (in the Content below) are always there! | ||||
Content | This is strictly a BSc course. Its objectives are met primarily through the individual student project which may involve experiments, simulations or critical & quantitative reviews of the literature. Therein, a 2-page proposal (15% of the grade) is submitted within the first two semester weeks addressing explicitly, at least, 10 well-selected research articles and thoughtful meetings with the project supervisor. The proposal address 3 basic questions: a) how important is the project; b) what has been done already in that field and c) what will be done by the student. Detailed feedback on each proposal is given by the supervisor, assistant and professor two weeks later. Towards the end of the semester, a 10-minute oral presentation is given by the student followed 10 minutes Q&A (30% of the grade). A 10-page final report is submitted by noon of the last day of the semester (55% of the grade). The project supervisor will provide guidance throughout the course especially when called for by the student. Detailed feedback on each proposal, presentation and final report is given by the supervisor, assistant and professor. Course lectures will include some, if not all, of the following: - Overview of Nanotechnology & Project Presentation - Control of nanoparticle size & structure in the gas-phase - Multi-scale design of nanomaterial synthesis - Characterization of nanostructured materials - Encapsulation technologies for active food ingredients - Aerosol manufacture of nanoparticles - Physical Chemistry of Nanoparticles (structure, molecular forces, statistical thermodynamics) - Thermodynamics of nanoparticles (the basics, thermal stability, nanophases, melting temperature) - Transport properties of nanoparticles (diffusivity, mobility, settling, adsorption) - Computer simulations of nanoparticles (from atoms, to primary particles, to agglomerates) - Thin film coatings - Cluster beam deposition - Coaching for proposal & report writing as well as oral presentations | ||||
Prerequisites / Notice | 5th semester student standing in D-MAVT. Students attending this course are expected to allocate sufficient additional time within their weekly lecture schedule in order to successfully conduct the project work. As exceptional effort will be required, having seen "Chasing Mavericks" (2012) by Apted & Henson, "Unbroken" (2014) by Angelina Jolie and, in particular, "The Salt of the Earth" (2014) by Wim Wenders might be helpful and even motivating. These movies show how methodic effort can bring superior and truly unexpected results (e.g. stay under water for 5 minutes to overcome the fear of riding huge waves or merciless Olympic athlete training that help him survive 45 days on a raft in Pacific Ocean followed by 2 years in a Japanese POW camp during WWII). |