The program of the course includes: The most important class of materials. The cycle of materials
Cohesion forces, matter condensation. The crystalline state, glasses and other aggregation states.
X-ray diffraction, Bragg law and Miller indices. Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, EXAFS analysis, radial distribution function. Defects, dislocations and grain boundary.
The molecular structure of organic polymers and their spatial configuration. Silicate glasses, mineral glasses and cement. Relation between thermo-dynamical variation and atomic variation of the atomic structure: deformation of a perfect crystal, elastic deformation of materials and rubber. Visco-elastic diagram. Solid solution. Phase diagram of mixed compounds. Metallic alloys, ceramic alloys, copolymers. Mechanical properties, materials resistance, stress and strain deformation energy and inelastic effects. Plastic deformation of materials at low temperatures: stress and slip plane. Deformation at high temperature, viscoelasticity at high temperature: polymers. Thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity. Semiconductors, junctions, diodes, transistors, solar cells, laser. Metals: magnetic properties. Superconductors.
Laboratory experiments: Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, the synthesis and growth of a nano material: carbon nanotubes, Auger and XPS spectroscopy of a stainless steel. Indentation. Construction and assembly of a solar cell of the third generation. X-ray diffraction and Bragg's law occurs. Experience on different materials of the stress-elongation graph. Optical properties of different colored glass and crystalline silicon.

Co-teaching: Prof.ssa Castrucci Paola