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PHYC40410

Academic Year 2025/2026

Physics of nanomaterials (PHYC40410)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor James Rice
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The course centres on lectures and written assignments including the use of research papers as well as books in order to prepare students for post graduate study.

Contents of the course include: Introduction to nanomaterials; physics of two-dimensional nanomaterials; properties in physics of carbon nanotubes and other one-dimensional nanomaterials; physics and properties of zero-dimensional nanomaterials; molecular nanomaterials; growth and systhesised methods, structural and optical characterisation, and device applications of nanomaterials. The application of nanomaterials to bio and life sciences will be covered.

The specific topics covered are

• What we understand in general by nanoscale materials
• Top-down and bottom-up approaches
• Nanomaterials in medicine
• Why do microsized materials behave different to nanomaterials: Quantum confinement

• Unusual properties of Nanostructured materials
• Dimensionality: classification of different types of semi-conducting nanomaterials
• Examples of different nanomaterials: Quantum Wells (2D materials) and Nanowires (1D nanomaterials)

Concentrating on three important nanomaterials is carbon 1D nanomaterials, 0D metal and 0D semiconductor nanomaterials.

• Properties of organic nanomaterials: graphene and semiconductors: quantum wells (2D materials)
• Properties of Carbon nanotubes and nanowires (1D materials)
• Where nanomaterials are applied in biosystems ie a range of different applications

• Properties of Metal nanoparticles and plasmonics
• Applications in bioimaging and nano-bio studies

• Properties of semiconductor nanomaterials – 0D quantum dots
• Case study of nitride quantum dots to show the range and depth of understanding of these nanomaterials
• Quantum dots in biology and also in energy and communication – opening thoughts in regard to nanobio materials/systems application in energy and biocompatible communication technology

books recomend include
Introduction to Solid State Physics, C. Kittel (Wiley 8th ed, 2004).  
Introductory solid state physics, H.P. Myers (CRC Press 2nd ed, 1997). 
Solid state physics: an introduction, P. Hofmann (Wiley-VCH, 2008). 
Understanding solid-state physics, S.L. Holgate (Taylor & Francis, 2009).
Nano-Bio Quantum Technology for Device-Specific Materials by Sang H Choi and Nasa Technical Reports Server (Ntrs) (27 Jun 2013)
Nano-Bio Probe Design and Its Application for Biochemical Analysis (SpringerBriefs in Molecular Science) by Bang-Ce Ye, Min Zhang and Bin-Cheng Yin (10 May 2012)
Gateway to Nanotechnology: An Introduction to Nanotechnology for Beginner Students and Professionals by Paul Sanghera (6 Apr 2009)
Nanomaterials: An Introduction to Synthesis, Properties and Applications by Dieter Vollath (14 Aug 2013)
Nanoscale Science and Technology by Robert W. Kelsall, Ian Hamley and Mark Geoghegan (25 Feb 2005)




About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Learning Plan

You will study the general properties of naomaterials and will concentrate on three important nanomaterials ie grapheme/carbon nanotubes (carbon nanomaterials), metal nanoparticles and semiconductor quantum dots.

You should have an understanding of the properties of nanomaterials and their application in biology and photonics. An awareness of current research into applying nanomaterials should have been gained preparing you for working in nano-bio research environments.



Indicative Module Content:

The specific topics covered are

• What we understand in general by nanoscale materials
• Top-down and bottom-up approaches
• Nanomaterials in medicine
• Why do microsized materials behave different to nanomaterials: Quantum confinement

• Unusual properties of Nanostructured materials
• Dimensionality: classification of different types of semi-conducting nanomaterials
• Examples of different nanomaterials: Quantum Wells (2D materials) and Nanowires (1D nanomaterials)

Concentrating on three important nanomaterials is carbon 1D nanomaterials, 0D metal and 0D semiconductor nanomaterials.

• Properties of organic nanomaterials: graphene and semiconductors: quantum wells (2D materials)
• Properties of Carbon nanotubes and nanowires (1D materials)
• Where nanomaterials are applied in biosystems ie a range of different applications

• Properties of Metal nanoparticles and plasmonics
• Applications in bioimaging and nano-bio studies

• Properties of semiconductor nanomaterials – 0D quantum dots
• Case study of nitride quantum dots to show the range and depth of understanding of these nanomaterials
• Quantum dots in biology and also in energy and communication – opening thoughts in regard to nanobio materials/systems application in energy and biocompatible communication technology

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

48
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Lectures

24
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The course centres on lectures and written assignments including the use of research papers as well as books in order to prepare students for post graduate study.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): a exam following week 12 will be taken End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No
Report(s): a final report based on examining given papers Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be provided to the class. reflecting upon the assignment and providing information in regard to the assignment answers to the group. Additional information will be provided to individuals in person following the group based post assessment period.

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