Introduction to Materials Science
Instructor: Esen Ercan Alp
Spring 2011
Materials science, a branch of science dealing with structure, synthesis and utilization of
materials, is a hybrid science, representing and re-formulating knowledge gained by more
traditional branches like chemistry, physics, biology, metallurgy, and engineering.
However, as humankind’s abilities to comprehend, command and modify the properties
of materials improved over the millennia, a distinct branch of science emerged around
1950’s and gained acceptance and recognition in the universities and industrial research
laboratories. As the development of silicon based technologies and their impact on our
society presents a well understood and much appreciated example, there are numerous
cases where materials development is the critical component in every aspect of human
life, health, economics, security, and leisure alike. In this class, Dr. Alp will reflect on his
thirty years of experiences in dealing with materials issues.
There will be a class visit to Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source,
the nation’s most advanced synchrotron source, where Dr. Alp performs his experiments.
Grading is based on 1 mid-term and a final exam (30 % each), and weekly homework
(30 %). 10% will be given based on class interaction to encourage students to participate
as full partners in the learning process.
The class books for reference is:
1. Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering, Willliam F. Smith and Javad
Hashemi, McGraw Hill, ISBN 0-07-29358-6
Course Contents
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Structure of atoms and the Periodic Table as a Tool
atomic size
electron count
electron binding energies
characteristic x-rays and fluoresecnece lines
beyond periodic table at extreme conditions
isotopes
unstable elements
Structure of materials
crystals: polycrystals, single crystals, quasicrystals
amorphous materials and glasses
nano-materials and thin films
liquids
methods of structure determination: microscopy, diffraction, scattering
and spectroscopy,thermal and electrical properties
Material classification : Is it still valid ?
Traditional classification of metals, ceramics and polymers
Transformation from one class to another
Nano-materials: Are they new?
Synthesis of new materials, further development of known materials
Extraction & purification
Alloying
New and modern methods: CVD and its variations, Laser ablation and
sputtering, evaporation and plasma spraying, high-pressure synthesis
Mechanisms underlying synthesis: diffusion, melting, nucleation and
growth
Mechanical properties and their modification
Elasticity and plasticity
Ductility, toughness, hardness, malleability, fatigue, creep, and
fracture
The most advanced and least understood phase diagram: Fe-C
Why Fe-C ?
What do we know
Stable versus metastable, role of kinetics, impact of Fe-C on
civilization
New materials:
Materials for Energy: Solar energy conversion, energy storage,
tribology, superconductors, thermoelectrics, magnetoresistance, multiferroics, carbon nano-tubes, meta-materials