Place: Hudson 218
Meeting time: Wednesday & Friday, 2:50pm - 4:05pm (first class on Jan. 11)
Synopsis
This course is designed to introduce students to the interdiciplinary aspects of nanoscience by integrating important components of this broad research field. This integrated approach will cross the traditional disciplines of biology, chemistry, electrical & computer engineering, computer science, and physics. The focus of the course will be on fundamental properties of materials at the nanoscale, synthesis of nanoparticles, characterization tools, self-assembly, and nanoscale systems.
Grades will be assigned based on class participation, individual performance on a group project (involving three presentations), the quality of two integrative papers on topics related to nanoscale science, and a final exam.
Textbook
 |
Nanophysics and Nanotechnology: An Introduction
to Modern Concepts in Nanoscience by Edward L. Wolf (Author) ISBN-13: 978-3527406517 |
Course Schedule
(subject to change at any time)
| Lectures |
Topic | Readings |
| Jan.
11 / 16 |
Introduction, class structure, overview, ... | Chapter 1, 2 |
| Jan.
18 / 23 |
Background Parts 1 and 2 |
Drexler vs. Smalley Feynman's Lecture Chapter 3, 4 |
| Jan. 25 / 30 | Synthesis: nanoparticles, nanowires | |
| Feb. 1 | Synthesis: nanoribbons, nanotubes | |
| Feb. 6 / 8 |
Project
proposal presentations (10%) |
|
| Feb.
13 / 15 |
Self-assembly:
DNA basics, primary & secondary structure, ... |
Chapter 6 |
| Feb.
20 / 22 |
Self-assembly: DNA computing, DNA self-assembly |
|
| Feb.
27 / 29 |
Tools:
cleanrooms, optical lithography, film deposition, etching |
Chapter 7 |
| Mar.
5/ 7 |
Tools:
SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, SPM, AFM, DPN, (alphabet soup) ... Individual topical papers are due on Mar. 7 (15%) |
|
| Mar.
12 / 14 |
Spring break (no class) | |
| Mar.
19 / 21 |
Project up-date presentations (10%) | |
| Mar.
26 / 28 |
Systems: nanoscale integration, design, modeling, simulation | Chapter 9 |
| Apr.
2 / 4 |
Systems: self-assembled computer architectures | |
| Apr.
9 / 11 |
Final project presentations (15%) | |
| Apr.
16 |
Final Exam (1 hour, on precepts, 25%) | Last class |
| Apr 28 |
No class. Final
group papers
due (25%) |
Course Assignments
Project proposal presentations (10% of grade)
Assignment details:
1. Prepare a 20-25 minute presentation (as a group) describing:
a. The
project direction
and
ultimate goal
b. The related work
2.
Turn in
a proposed bibliography for your project. b. The related work
*
The following are
some useful links for finding related
work
1. ISI Web of Science
2. National Center for Biotechnology Information Site Map
3. IEEE Explorer
4. ACM Digital Library
5. Google Scholar
1. ISI Web of Science
2. National Center for Biotechnology Information Site Map
3. IEEE Explorer
4. ACM Digital Library
5. Google Scholar
Grading:
Participation during the presentation will determine your grade. This includes answering questions and delivering a portion of the presentation material.
Individual topical papers due (15% of grade)
Assignment
details:
Prepare a review paper of at least three research papers on a topic relevant (even loosely) to your group project. Choose a different set of papers from the other member(s) of your group. The paper you write should not exceed four pages in length, two columns, single-spaced. Be sure to include a title, author line, relevant figures, and references.
Grading:
Your grade will be determined by the clarity of the paper in describing the research articles. Poor grammar and/or spelling mistakes will be penalized.
Prepare a review paper of at least three research papers on a topic relevant (even loosely) to your group project. Choose a different set of papers from the other member(s) of your group. The paper you write should not exceed four pages in length, two columns, single-spaced. Be sure to include a title, author line, relevant figures, and references.
Grading:
Your grade will be determined by the clarity of the paper in describing the research articles. Poor grammar and/or spelling mistakes will be penalized.
Project up-date presentations (10% of grade)
Assignment details:
1. Prepare a 20-25 minute presentation (as a group) including:
a. Any
modifications to the project description
and motivation
b. The major components of the project and individual responsibilities
c. An outline of work to-date and proposed work and milestones
d. The challenges to the project and alternate (tangential) approaches
2.
Turn in
an outline of your final project paper and bibliography b. The major components of the project and individual responsibilities
c. An outline of work to-date and proposed work and milestones
d. The challenges to the project and alternate (tangential) approaches
Grading:
Participation during and the completeness of the presentation will determine your grade. Incomplete paper outlines and/or bibliographies will be penalized.
Participation during and the completeness of the presentation will determine your grade. Incomplete paper outlines and/or bibliographies will be penalized.
Final project proposal presentations (15% of grade)
Assignment
details:
1. Prepare a 20-25 minute presentation (as a group) including:
a. The project overview, motivation, and most-related work
b. A description of the major project components
c. An analysis of your results
d. A project wrapup and conclusion
e. Possible future directions
1. Prepare a 20-25 minute presentation (as a group) including:
a. The project overview, motivation, and most-related work
b. A description of the major project components
c. An analysis of your results
d. A project wrapup and conclusion
e. Possible future directions
Grading:
Participation during and the completeness of the presentation will determine your grade. Each member must be able to individually field questions about any portion of the project.
Participation during and the completeness of the presentation will determine your grade. Each member must be able to individually field questions about any portion of the project.
Final group report and evaluations due (25% of grade) Submit electronically.
Assignment
details:
1. Prepare a final group project report. Start from the outline and bibliography from earlier in the semester. Describe in detail every aspect of your work. All group members must contribute and approve the final version.
2. Evaluate your group members and your own performance in the class and in the group project using this format: evaluation form. (email it back)
3. Turn in the report and evaluation form (by digital-dropbox on Bb). Late reports will receive no credit.
Grading:
Your grade will be determined by the clarity of the paper in describing your project. Poor grammar and/or spelling mistakes will be penalized.
Unbalanced effort (as indicated by the group evaluation) within a group will penalize the weaker group members.
N.B. Your evaluation as a productive group member will impact your entire course grade.
1. Prepare a final group project report. Start from the outline and bibliography from earlier in the semester. Describe in detail every aspect of your work. All group members must contribute and approve the final version.
2. Evaluate your group members and your own performance in the class and in the group project using this format: evaluation form. (email it back)
3. Turn in the report and evaluation form (by digital-dropbox on Bb). Late reports will receive no credit.
Grading:
Your grade will be determined by the clarity of the paper in describing your project. Poor grammar and/or spelling mistakes will be penalized.
Unbalanced effort (as indicated by the group evaluation) within a group will penalize the weaker group members.
N.B. Your evaluation as a productive group member will impact your entire course grade.