66842 - Nanotechnologies of Multifunctional Materials

Learning outcomes

The student will acquire knowledge on: Scanning Probe Microscopy; Electron Microscopy; Image Analysis; Non-conventional Micro- and nanofabrication techniques; Thin Film Growth Techniques. The course includes 15 hours of laboratory exercises.

Course contents

Theoretical part (Sept. - Begin Nov., Chemistry Department)

1. Introduction to Nanotechnology (1h);

2. Multifunctional Organic Materials (2h);

3. Methods to deposit organic thin-film from solution (1h) and in vacuum (1h);

4. Micro- and nano-fabrication techniques (serial and parallel; top-down and bottom-up) with unconventional techniques (2h);

5. Scanning Probe Microscopy: basic elements (2h);

6. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM -2h-);

7. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM -2h-);

8. Quantitative morphological analysis (3h);

Experimental part (Begin Nov. - End Dec., CNR)

9. Laboratory of deposition from solution and in vacuum (4h);

10. Laboratory of non-conventional lithographic techniques (4h);

11. Laboratory of Scanning Probe Microscopy (4);

12. Exercises of image analysis (4h);

Additional lectures (Begin Jan.)

13. Recap lecture (4h);

14. Invited lecture on advanced and innovative scientific fields (2h).

Readings/Bibliography

Tutorial reviews and feature articles will be supplied, together with selected book chapters (after each lecture). All educational materials will be deposited on the online repository https://iol.unibo.it.

Lectures slides will be supplied (online on https://iol.unibo.it) after each lecture (typically from 1 to 3 days after).

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures with open discussions and real-time questions.

Laboratory experiences in small groups (3 students max) supported by researchers and scientific specialists.

The course has not compulsory attendance, but it is strongly suggested.

Assessment methods

Final oral exam (45-60 min).

The final mark is based on three questions:

i) description of a scanning probe microscopy technique;

ii) how fabricate nanometric structures with unconventional fabrication techniques (commission will ask to solve a scientific problem by using an "original" approach to fabricates nanostructures for specific applications);

iii) test on image analysis by using Gwyddion (software open-access).

Each question gives 10 points (max) whereas the sum gives the final mark. Cum laude is reached thanks to both base knowledge and the originality of the answers.  

Teaching tools

Theoretical lectures will be carried out at Chemistry Department "Ciamician"

Laboratories experiences will be carried out at the Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Material (ISMN) - CNR Bologna (Via Gobetti 101 - Autobus ATC 87 e 37, Rotonda Gobetti-CNR stop).

ISMN gives access to 3 laboratories for experimental exercises: scanning probe microscopy, organic deposition in vacuum and non conventional fabrication together with SEM observations.

Office hours

See the website of Cristiano Albonetti

See the website of Francesco Valle