Advanced Materials MSc

This module adopts a broad approach, covering the principles underpinning a wide range of materials characterisation techniques, for imaging, structural characterisation and chemical analysis.

Emphasis is given to the process, structure, property interrelationship, backed up by appropriate case studies taken from the areas of structural materials, functional materials, biomaterials and nanomaterials.

Detailed content underpinning the module includes particle / material interactions and wave / material interactions; the experimental process; crystallography; defects; reciprocal space and diffraction.

Consideration is given to instrumentation, vacuum systems, electron sources and detectors etc and described with reference to the techniques of SEM, TEM, XRD, XRF and XPS.

An overview of related surface analysis techniques and ion beam techniques is provided. Aspects of sample preparation, including FIB milling are also covered.

This module requires personal engagement in the classes and there is no examination. In this way this module is like the Individual Project. It has three cycles each comprising students individually preparing a talk, and report, on a topic within a theme and with a title that has been negotiated with the Advanced Materials Teachers (Professor AB Seddon, Dr X Hou and Dr I Ahmed) straight after the teachers have delivered an introductory lecture on that theme.

The point of the module is to improve oral presentation and engineering report-writing skills using advanced materials as a vehicle. The classes are seminars, where good practice is openly discussed and materials' advantages and disadvantages are openly debated. Not to attend classes is not an option or failure of the module at the end is very likely to ensue.

This module is designed to deal with a wide range of materials (including advanced metallic, ceramic, glass, composite and polymeric-based materials) for a wide range of applications. Also it considers materials' themes such as: aerospace materials, medical materials, coatings, carbon-based materials and so on.

The module deals with the underlying principles behind the suitability of material properties for the targeted applications, the processing of these materials, the effects of processing on their subsequent structure and properties and ultimate performance.

Method and Frequency of Class:

Method of Assessment:

A project-oriented module involving a review of publications and views on a topic allied to the chosen specialist subject. The module will also involve organisation and design of the main project. Skills will be acquired through workshops and seminars that will include:

• Further programming in MATLAB and /or MSExcel Macros
• Project planning and use of Microsoft Project
• Measurement and error analysis
• Development of laboratory skills including safety and risk assessment

Students will select a further set of specialist seminars from, e.g.:

• Meshing for computational engineering applications
• Modelling using CAE packages
• Use of CES Selector software
• Specific laboratory familiarisation
• Use of MSVisio software for process flow
• Use of HYSYS process modelling software
• Use of PSpice to simulate analogue and digital circuits

The specialist seminars will be organised within the individual MSc courses.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module focuses on understanding and manipulating of material's microstructure to avoid failure. It addresses the main areas of mechanical failure using specific material system examples to illustrate how materials design is used to develop better materials for particular applications. 

The four areas are:

• Design for strength – metallic alloys, ceramics
• Design for toughness – metallic alloys (including discussion of strength/toughness balance for Al alloys)
• Design for creep resistance - metallic alloys
• Design for fatigue resistance

This project involves students undertaking an original, independent, research study into an engineering or industrial topic appropriate to their specific MSc programme. The project should be carried out in a professional manner and may be undertaken on any topic which is relevant to the MSc programme, as agreed by the relevant Course Director and module convenor.

The project has several aims, beyond reinforcing information and methodology presented in the taught modules; the student is expected to develop skills in research, investigation, planning, evaluation and oral and written communication.

Final reporting will take the form of a written account including a literature review and an account of the student's contribution. A presentation will be made to academic staff towards the end of the project.

Method and Frequency of Class:

There will be a one hour introductory session/session via Moodle . All other activities are arranged on an individual basis between the student and the project supervisor.

Method of Assessment:

The project area is flexible and will be supervised by an academic member of staff

The module aims to provide students with knowledge of key environmental and sustainability issues of relevance to energy supply and use, materials consumption, and product design/manufacture.

Topics include:

1. Drivers for sustainability, including patterns of energy use, material consumption, waste generation, and associated environmental impacts in UK and globally.
2. Factors influencing the availability of non-renewable and renewable energy and material resources.
3. Principles for the efficient use of energy resources including energy use in buildings, heat and power generation, and heat recovery systems.
4. Life cycle assessment of engineering activities, with focus on greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, their impacts, and mitigation measures.
5. Economic analysis of investments in energy savings, material substitution, product design, and value recovery from end-of-life products; Cost-benefit analysis incorporating environmental externalities; and the role of government regulations in influencing business decisions.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module is concerned with the biomedical application of materials. It addresses three key areas: 

1. The clinical need for materials in medicine. An outline of cases where disease and trauma can be treated using materials and the tissues involved. 
2. The biological responses to materials in the body. Specifically the effect of the biological environment on materials and the effect of implantation of materials on the body. 
3. The application of materials in medicine. The material requirements, surgical procedures and expected biological performance of biomaterials. The advantages and disadvantages of using different types of materials and the importance of the design of medical implants.

Delivery

Assessment method

A broad-based module covering the chemistry, material properties and manufacturing methods relevant to polymers.

Topics include:

• Polymer chemistry and structure
• Routes to synthesis, polymerisation techniques, practical aspects of industrial production
• Viscoelasticity, time-temperature equivalence
• Rheology of polymer melts, heat transfer in melts, entanglements
• Properties of solid polymers, yield and fracture, crazing
• Manufacturing with polymers, extrusion, injection-moulding
• Design/ processing interactions for plastic products

This module introduces the design, manufacture and performance of fibre-reinforced composite materials. 

Constituent materials including fibres, resins and additives are described. Processing techniques and the relationships between process and design are highlighted. Design methodologies and computer-aided engineering techniques are demonstrated for component design.

Case studies from a variety of industries including automotive and aerospace are presented.

Method and Frequency of Class:

 Method of Assessment:

This module provides an understanding and knowledge of property requirements and key materials for a variety of transport systems (e.g., road vehicles, trains and aircrafts), with particular reference to how to design, select and manufacture of advanced materials to move towards low- and zero-emission transport.

Topics typically include:

• Overview of policy, regulation and materials requirements for sustainable low-carbon transport
• Emerging propulsion materials and systems (fuel cells, rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, superconductors) for road vehicles, trains and aircrafts
• Advanced metal and alloys (steel, titanium alloys, aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys and superalloys) for transport applications
• Advanced composites including carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) for transport applications
• Ceramic thermal barrier coatings for aircraft gas turbine engines

This module examines, in-depth, the processes used for joining metallic (e.g. steel, aluminium and titanium alloys) and non-metallic (e.g. polymers and fibre reinforced composites) materials. 

Topics covered include:

• mechanical joining
• adhesive bonding
• soldering and brazing
• solid state joining (friction welding and diffusion bonding)
• fusion welding (arc welding and the many classes thereof, resistance, electron beam and laser welding)

The fundamental characteristics of the various processes are examined along with procedures for practical applications. The origins of defects within joints and methods needed to control or eliminate them are also considered. The mechanical behaviour of joints is analysed, as is the effect of joining on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of the base materials. Other features such as residual stress and distortion are addressed. Attention is also given to appropriate design for manufacture in a modern manufacturing context.

Method and Frequency of Class:

 Method of Assessment:

In this module students develop understanding of hydrogen vehicle technologies and their role in delivering more sustainable transport and energy sectors.

The module covers technologies currently under development and those likely to be used in future vehicle power-train systems, as an energy storage buffer for the grid and as an alternative gas vector to decarbonise heat.

Technologies covered include;

• electrolysers, storage, fuel cells and the impact of hydrogen on different applications.
• Hydrogen use in the transport and energy sectors
• Sustainable sources of Hydrogen
• Hydrogen storage and distribution
• Fuel cell technologies
• Hydrogen Vehicles
• Grid stability and decarbonisation of heat applications
• Economic and environmental feasibility assessment

Delivery

Assessment method

This module will cover design, processing and material aspects of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies, as well as the current and potential applications of the technology in a wide variety of sectors. Topics include commercial and experimental systems, material requirements, design for additive manufacturing, software and systems, as well as case studies in industry and society.