CHE 596 609 Colloidal Science Nanoscale Engineering
3 Credit Hours
This course begins with an in-depth coverage of the fundamentals of colloidal interactions between surfaces, particles, surfactants and biomolecules, and their relevance to self-assembly. The theory and practice of particle characterization by scattering methods and their manipulation by external fields are presented. In the second part of the course, emerging colloid-related technologies in microfluidics, micropatterning, bioarrays and nanostructured materials are presented. Newly added material this year will discuss the emerging field of soft robotics.
Prerequisite
The attendees should have some prior knowledge of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and/or physics.
Course Objectives
The course will teach the attendees to perform the following:
- Identify the intermolecular and surface forces acting in various colloidal suspensions and nanoscale systems and be able to develop quantitative estimates of the strength and magnitude of these forces.
- Develop solutions to scientific and technological problems in colloidal and microfabricated systems by application of the theory of colloidal interactions.
- Understand the principles of colloidal and biological self-assembly, and their application, advantages and limitations in technology.
- Apprehend various light-scattering and electric-field based techniques for characterization and manipulation of colloidal nanoparticles and be able to apply them in research.
- Be familiar with the latest concepts in the microfabrication, microfluidics, soft robotics, and nanotechnology. Be able to propose and engineer simple new devices by microfabrication and/or self-assembly.
Course Requirements
HOMEWORK: The course will include one homework assignment per week that will typically require 2-4 hours of independent student work.
EXAMINATIONS: Two mid-term exams and one final exam or a short term paper are expected.
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: The homeworks will include computational problems that can be solved most conveniently by any computer package (however solutions by hand will also be acceptable).
PROJECTS: No large projects will be required. However, some homeworks on nanoscale engineering may include small projects instead of textbook-type problems. The final exam may be substituted by a short term paper.
Course Outline By Topical Areas
- Colloid Science
- Surface thermodynamics
- Surface tension, contact angle, wetting
- Adsorption and adsorption isotherms
- Surfactants and micellization
- Intermolecular and surface forces
- Van der Waals forces
- Electrostatics without and with electrolyte
- Colloidal interactions / DLVO
- Interactions between biological molecules
- Interactions and manipulation of colloids with external fields
- Zeta potential and electrophoresis
- Dielectrophoresis
- Optical phenomena
- Scattering methods
- Nanoparticles and nanostructured materials
- Microfabrication and MEMS
- Microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip devices
- Bioarrays and biosensors
- Soft robotics and liquid-based microdevices and microcircuits
- Microstructures with photonic and electronic functionality
- Nanoscale engineering, entrepreneurship and commercialization opportunities
Textbook
- Intermolecular and Surface Forces, J. N. Israelachvili, Academic Press, 3rd edition, 2011.
- The Colloidal Domain: Where Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Technology Meet, D. F. Evans and H. Wennerstrom, Wiley-VCH, 1999.
Selected representative papers from all science areas covered by the class are available for download from the class web-site. The attendees are encouraged to read them to see examples of the application of the class material to current research and to widen their knowledge in the area.
Revised 03/16/2020