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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2009 - 2010

Module Title	Fundamentals of Nanoelectronics Tech
Module Code	EE559
School	School of Electronic Engineering
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Prof Patrick McNally	Office Number	S347
Level	5	Credit Rating	7.5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

Nanoelectronics has become one of the most important and exciting fields in the forefront of engineering, physics, chemistry and biology. The technology and the possibilities of engineering at the nanoscale shows great promise for delivering many breakthroughs that will impact on technological advances in a wide range of applications from chemical to electronic to optronic to medical.

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this subject, the student will:1. have a practical overview of the applications of Nanotechnology and Nanoelectronics.2. have the technical capability to appreciate and contribute to the technical development in the field.3. develop a deep understanding of the interdisciplinarity of nanoscale engineering and science.

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	36
Tutorials
Laboratories
Seminars
Independent Learning Time	76.5

Total	112.5
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 7.5 credit module load represents approximately 112.5 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Introduction to Physics of the Solid State: Crystal structure and lattice vibrations; energy bands, reciprocal space, effective masses, Fermi surfaces, localised particles e.g. donors, traps, excitons.
Methods of Measuring Properties: Crystallography - particle size determination and surface structure; microscopy; spectroscopy.
Properties of Individual Nanoparticles: Metal nanoclusters, semiconducting nanoparticles, rare gas and molecular clusters, synthesis methods.
Carbon Nanostructures: Carbon molecules, carbon clusters - C60 and fulllerenes; carbon nanotubes; applications of carbon nanotubes.
Bulk Nanostructured Materials: Solid disordered nanostructures - synthesis and properties; nanostructured crystals - zeolites, photonic crystals.
Nanostructured Ferromagnetism: Ferromagnetism; dynamics of nanomagnets, giant and colossal magnetoresistance; ferrofluids.
Optical and Vibrational Spectroscopy: Excitons; infrared surface spectroscopy; Raman spectroscopy; Brillouin spectroscopy; Luminescence - photoluminescence, surface states, thermoluminescence.
Quantum Wells, Wires and Dots: Preparation; size and dimensionality effects; excitons; single-electron tunnelling; applications - IR detectors, quantum dot lasers; superconductivity.
Self-Assembly and Catalysis: process of self-assembly; catalysis.
Organic Compounds and Polymers: Forming and characterising polymers; nanocrystals; conductive polymers; supramolecular structures - dendritic molecules, micelles.
Biological Materials: Biological building blocks - polypeptide nanowires and protein nanoparticles; nucleic acids - DNA, genetic code and protein synthesis.
Nano Machines and Devices: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS); nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS); molecular and supramolecular switches.