MMS1023 Special Topics in Materials Science II: Electron Transport in Quantum Nanostructures
The course will provide an introduction to the primary transport mechanisms in quantized semiconductor nanostructures. This includes tunneling, Coulomb blockade, ballistic and wavelike transport. Students will also be introduced to fabrication methodologies, and the focus will be on low dimensional systems – particularly, quantum dots and wires.
MSE 558 Nanotechnology in Alternate Energy Systems
The unique surface properties and the ability to surface engineer nanocrystalline structures in devices renders nanocrystalline materials to be ideal candidates for use in structural materials, corrosion coatings, and catalysts in energy conversion devices such as electrolysers, energy storage media and fuel cells. These new devices are poised to have major impacts on power generation utilities, the automotive sector, and society at large. The differences in observed electrochemical behavior between amorphous, nanocrystalline and polycrystalline solid materials will be discussed in terms of their surface structure and surface chemistry. A group design project competition, sponsored by the Ontario Centre of Excellence in Energy, allows students from various disciplines to work together to formulate a proposal including technical, economic, and environmental solutions to a problem.
MSE 561 Engineered Ceramics
The unique combinations of physical, electrical, magnetic, and thermomechanical properties exhibited by advanced technical ceramics has led to a wide range of applications including automobile exhaust sensors and fuel cells, high speed cutting tool inserts and ball bearings, thermal barrier coating for turbine engines and surgical implants. This course examines the crystal and defect structures which determine the electrical and mass transport behaviour and the effects of microstructure on optical, magnetic, dielectric, and thermomechanical properties. The influence of these structure-property relations on the performance of ceramic materials in specific applications such as sensors, solid oxide fuel cells, magnets, and structural components is explored.
MSE504 Extractive Metallurgy
Technologies and unit operations used in the production of light metals, non-ferrous and ferrous metals will be presented and analyzed. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing overall flowsheets used by selected companies for the purpose of determining how overall process efficiency can be improved and the environmental impact reduced. Methods and technologies used for metals recycling will also be discussed. Examples will be given from the steel, copper, nickel, zinc, aluminum and magnesium industries. The students will be exposed to a series of actual industrial case studies.