Course Identification

Nanomaterials are materials having dimensions or features in the size range of 1-100 nanometers. In this guided reading course we will study and discuss the fundamental chemical and physical aspects of nanomaterials, including their synthesis, formation mechanism, structure, physical properties (mechanical, electronic, optical, thermal, etc.), characterization methods, and potential applications. During this course, we will learn the basic phenomena that make nanomaterials different from macroscopic materials, review the major discoveries in the field so far, and try to identify what the most interesting questions are today in nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. Discuss the fundamental phenomena that make nanomaterials different from bulk materials, especially how dimensionality (0D, 1D, 2D and 3D) affects their electronic structure.
2. Read critically analyze state-of-the-art articles in general and highlighting new trends in the field of nano-materials specifically.
3. Cope with large amount of new scientific information in professional literature within a limited timeframe by identifying the central questions and prioritizing the relevant facts.
4. Evaluate new scientific articles in the field of Nano-materials specifically and in scientific papers in general.