MATSE 403:Synthesis of Materials

MATSE 403: Synthesis of Materials

Home page: http://matse403.mse.uiuc.edu/

Textbook: Class notes

References (Handouts):

1. Materials Science and Engineering for the 1990's: Maintaining Competitiveness in the Age of Materials, Appendix A (Synthesis) & B (Processing), National Academy Press, Washington, D. C., 1989, ISBN: 0-309-03928-2.
2. John Wilford, "Ancient King's Legendary Gold," NY Times, August 15th, 2000
3. Greg Olsen, "Designing a New Material World," Science, Vol. 288, 12 May 2000, pp. 993-998
4. H. Remy, Treatise on Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. II: Subgroups of the periodic table and general topics, Preparation of Metals, Elsevier, 1956.
5. A. M. Buckley and M. Greenblatt, "The Sol-Gel Preparation of Silica Gels," Journal of Chemical Education, Vol. 71 #7, 1994, pp. 599-602
6. J. Livage, and C. Sanchez, "Sol-Gel Chemistry," Journal of Non-crystalline Solids, Vol. 145, 1992, pp. 11-19
7. J. Economy, "Now That's an Interesting Way to Make a Fiber!", Chemtech, Vol. 10, April 1980, pp. 240-247
8. Segal, Chemical Synthesis of Advanced Ceramic Materials, Chapter 6
9. P. Painter and M. Coleman, Fundamentals of Polymer Science: An Introductory Text, Chapters 1 & 2, Technomic, 1997
10. K. Chang, "A Prodigious Molecule and Its Growing Pains," NY Times, Oct. 10, 2000
11. Turner Bowden, Electronic and Photonic Applications of Polymers, Chapter 1, Section 1.1.1.1, pp. 4-11, ACS, 1998
12. B. G. Streetman, Solid State Electronic Devices, Fourth Edition, Chapter 1.3-1.4.4, Prentice Hall, 1995

Catalog Description, Prerequisites and Schedule:

Studies fundamentals of the synthesis of materials. Examines principles of synthesis; processes, approaches, synthetic methodology and probes; methodologies in materials synthesis; polymerization, sol-gel processes, liquid and vapor phase synthesis, materials coupling reactions, and precursor-derived, radiation-induced and asymmetric synthesis. Prerequisite: MSE 201 and credit or concurrent registration in MSE 401. 3 hours. 3 lecture-discussion hours/week.

Course Topics:

1. Introduction and background to Materials Synthesis
2. Principles of Synthesis (through case studies drawn from metal, ceramics and polymers)
3. General Synthetic Methodologies: preparation of metals, sol-gel synthesis, chemical conversion of a precursor fiber, chemical vapor deposition and infiltration, polymer synthesis (including an introduction to classification, nomenclature and structure).
4. High Strength/Modulus Materials-Synthesis and Structure
5. Electronic Materials Synthetic Challenges
6. Design of Advanced Materials for Environmental Control
7. Biomaterials Synthetic Opportunities

Course Objectives:

1. To present a systematic approach to the study of "synthesis" in the field of Materials Science and Engineering.
2. To provide students with a broad knowledge of synthetic methodologies along with an understanding of critical needs.
3. To provide students with examples of what's involved in designing and developing a new material through use of case studies.
4. To provide students with a knowledge of the field of high strength/modulus materials including preparation of single crystal ceramics and metals, phase transformation toughened ceramic; composites (both fiber and matrix) with particular emphasis on the syntheses involved.
5. To provide students with an understanding of the field of electronic materials and the role of synthesis in design of microelectronic chips and packaging systems.
6. To provide students with an awareness of the critical needs for new materials in the fields of air and water contaminant removal.
7. To integrate knowledge concerning structure and property relationships and how opportunities can be addressed through innovations in synthesis and processing.
8. To challenge students to think about materials related problems in the world around them and to come up with new materials solutions.

Course outcomes:

1. Given a material related problem, be able to come up with a solution by modifying the synthesis.
2. Given the discovery of a new or improved material, have an understanding of what is required to come up with a scalable synthesis.
3. From case studies on preliminary commercialization of three distinct materials, develop an understanding as to the importance of economics and design.
4. Given a need for a high strength/modulus product, be able to suggest an appropriate class of material.

Assessment Tools:

1. Three written exams plus a final
2. Term paper on selected materials and their synthesis. Write-ups are made accessible to the students on the web so that they can study all write-ups and be quizzed.
3. Some homework assignments and 3-5 minute oral quizzes at beginning of class.
4. Additional credit provided for student submitting a proposal for a synthetic solution to a problem.

Contribution of Course to Meeting the Professional Component:

100%

Prepared by:

James Economy, November 2000