Advanced Characterisation of Materials

Recommended Prerequisites

Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at universitary level.

Teaching Methods

The exposure of theoretical concepts for each technique is accompanied by examples of application and demonstration of its operation in practical classes (laboratory). Some of these lab lessons are hands-on sessions, in order to increase the contact with the equipments. In addition, students develop individual work applying some techniques (minimum 3) for analysis of a sample framed in his PhD work. This practical work is presented in the form of a report, which is discussed within the discipline, and improved if necessary.

Learning Outcomes

It is intended that students acquire wide knowledge about several techniques for materials characterization, including the working principle, the application range and main limitations. A more deep development will be made for certain techniques according to the student's academic formation and the subject of his doctoral thesis. This detailed study will be done under tutorial guidance and by conducting a practical work to apply these techniques. It is therefore a course with its planning tailored to the needs of the students who attend it.

Students also develop generic skills, such as: i) instrumental- capacity for understanding, critical analysis and synthesis of new and complex concepts/phenomena, domain of English language, ii) personal- critical thinking skills; iii) systemic- workout autonomous learning and research planning, ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, motivation for performance of excellence.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Principles of operation and working procedures of the following techniques or others that may be included, according with the selection of the students:

Optical Microscopy with Image Analysis

Scanning Electron Microscopy – SEM

Transmission Electron Microscopy – TEM

Atomic Force Microscopy – AFM

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy – FTIR

X-Ray Diffraction – XRD

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance – NMR

Thermal Analysis by DSC/TG, Modulated DSC

Thermo-mechanical Analysis by DMTA

Contact Angle Measurement

Molecular Weight Measurement

Gas picnometry

Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry

Gas Adsorption (BET)

Particle Size measurement by Light Scattering (LDS e PCS)

Rheology

Mechanical Properties (tensile, compression, wear)

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Head Lecturer(s)

Luísa Maria Rocha Durães

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Synthesis work: 100.0%

Bibliography

- D.A. Skoog, F.J. Holler, S.R. Crouch. Principles of Instrumental Analysis. 6th Edition. 2007, Thomson Brooks/Cole. ISBN-13: 978-0495012016

- Publicações seleccionadas consoante as técnicas a abordar. /Supporting bibliographic material selected according with the techniques.