Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre · Courses
MATSE
105 courses with the subject MATSE, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
MATSE 101Energy and the Environment3
Energy utilization and technological development, energy resources, conversion and consequences on the local and global environment, and future energy alternatives. EGEE (MATSC) 101 Energy and the Environment (3) (GN)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. Energy is the life-blood of any society. The information and principles learnt in this course will allow the students to make sound judgments in the area of personal energy choices; There is increasing concern about the influence of human activities, particularly energy use, on global climate change. This has an impact on global business aspects. Students in all walks of life need to be exposed to the basic concepts to appreciate the positions of policymakers, scientists, and industry over the interrelationship between greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. The students will acquire knowledge, which will enable them to critically evaluate any energy-related concerns of the society. This is important for any college graduate for responsible citizenship and stewardship. The main objectives of this course are to: provide basic understanding and appreciation of energy and environmental concepts and interconnectedness; analyze energy consumption patterns; discuss various energy resources that power the modern society; examine the energy conversion processes; explore interrelationships between energy use and industrial progress and environmental consequences; discuss future energy alternatives. Student performance will be evaluated continuously through homework assignments, exams, group activities, class participation and a final examination. Position papers or term papers may be used in lieu of homework assignments in some sections. This course is a stand-alone General Education course.
Energy utilization and technological development, energy resources, conversion and consequences on the local and global environment, and future energy alternatives. EGEE (MATSC) 101A Energy and the Environment (3) (GN;IL)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. Energy is the life-blood of any society. The information and principles learnt in this course will allow the students to make sound judgments in the area of 'personal energy choices.' There is increasing concern about the influence of human activities, particularly energy use, on global climate change. This has an impact on global business aspects. Students in all walks of life need to be exposed to the basic concepts to appreciate the positions of policymakers, scientists, and industry over the interrelationship between greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. The students will acquire knowledge, which will enable them to critically evaluate any energy-related concerns of the society. This is important for any college graduate for responsible citizenship and stewardship.The main objectives of this course are to: provide basic understanding and appreciation of energy and environmental concepts and interconnectedness; analyze energy consumption patterns; discuss various energy resources that power the modern society; examine the energy conversion processes; explore interrelationships between energy use and industrial progress and environmental consequences; discuss future energy alternatives.Student performance will be evaluated continuously through homework assignments, exams, group activities, class participation and a final examination. Position papers or term papers may be used in lieu of homework assignments in some sections. This course is a stand-alone General Education course. The course is currently offered in four sections every semester (Spring and Fall) with a total target enrollment of approximately 200-250 students per semester.
MATSE 112Applied Materials Chemistry for Engineers3
The goal of this course is to instruct students on how to apply the basic tenants of chemistry towards materials used for a variety of engineering applications as well as to provide an introduction to many of the core concepts of materials science and engineering. The course will begin with an in depth look at the fundamental intermolecular forces that pervade atoms, molecules, ions and dense materials and underlie the observed properties of materials with respect to environment. The course will then continue on to discuss crystal chemistry to teach students how to determine and interpret Miller indices and crystal structures as well as to express the relations between structure and material properties. Thermodynamics and kinetics are then discusses with regard to reactions within inorganic chemistry and properties of inorganic materials with an emphasis on theoretical calculation and understanding of important concepts such as the Gibbs free energy and Fick's laws. The course will then cover electrochemistry, focusing on the fundamentals and relation to battery development and corrosion prevention before concluding with an overview of materials synthesis processing involving many of the previously addressed concepts.
This interdomain course of science and history will explore the relationships between materials science (ceramics, metals, polymers and composites) and the historical impact on the play, safety, and accessibility of sports, recreation, and games. Accordingly, this course will investigate exercise, team sports, analog and digital games and recreation. Beginning with a historical overview of the activity, the course then focuses on chosen equipment and how that equipment has changed with time and the evolution of materials. This information will then be discussed through the lens of broader impacts on society at large. Using discussions, in and outside of class, end of class quizzes, and activities during class, students will be assessed on their knowledge of the basics of materials science, the history of activities, and the broader impacts of the relationships between materials and sports, games and recreation.
MATSE 125NEngineer Your Best Life through Italian STEM Inspiration3
What explains the enduring strength of Roman concrete and the chemical process behind fresco masterpieces? What discoveries and social contexts paved the way for the inventions of the radio and telephone and innovations in Murano and glassmaking through the ages? How did Italians and Italian Americans overcome challenges and obstacles to leave their names to so many scientific elements, principles, and products, including fermium, voltage, Avogadro's Law, and Jacuzzis? Finally, and most importantly, how can the answers to these questions serve YOU to engineer your dolce vita, your sweet/best life? In this course, you are invited to adapt STEM Design Thinking principles to chart a uniquely human academic path and sustainable future. By thinking like Leonardo da Vinci and learning through play like Maria Montessori, for instance, you will have the opportunity to observe, discuss, experiment, imagine, curate, and articulate your own life innovations. Come exercise your curiosity in this experiential-engagement and discussion-centered class, and design your own dolce vita! No previous knowledge of science or Italian is expected. There are no prerequisites. Credits from this course may satisfy BA Humanities, BA Natural Sciences, BA International Cultures (IL), Gen Ed Humanities (GH), Gen Ed Natural Science (GN), and Interdomain/Integrative Studies credits. This course also counts toward the Italian Major.
Concepts of relationships between structure and thermal, optical, magnetic, electrical, and mechanical properties of metals, ceramics, glasses, and polymers.
The materials science of organic or soft materials with an emphasis on synthetic and natural polymer. MATSE 202 Introduction to Polymer Materials (3) Materials made from many types of natural organic materials, (cotton, wool, hemp, leather, etc.) have been with us throughout recorded history and have played crucial roles in the rise of civilizations and the economies of tribes and nations. Over the course of the last 100 years or so the development of synthetic organic materials, particularly polymers, has transformed the way we live. Modern transportation systems, much of contemporary medicine and the entire electronics and computer industry would not be possible without these materials. In order to understand their nature and provide a basis for a more in-depth understanding of these materials provided by courses with a more specific focus, why they are ubiquitous in modern society, this course will provide students with a basic knowledge of the structure, synthesis and properties and processing of these materials, starting with a review of atomic and molecular structure and proceeding through basic elements of the chemical synthesis, structure, mechanical properties and processing of these materials. Students will discover the commonalities and differences between synthetic polymers, such as polyesters and nylons, and natural or biological polymers, such as cotton and silk. A comparison will also be made between the mechanical properties of "hard", inorganic materials such as metals and ceramics, and "soft", organic materials such as polymers.The primary intended audience is undergraduates in Materials Science and Engineering. This course will provide a necessary overview of organic materials for those students who will focus on inorganic materials in the major and also provide an introduction to organic materials for those students who will specialize in polymers and other organic materials. It is also anticipated that students in other disciplines who want to obtain an overview of the science and engineering of organic materials would want to take this course.
This course is a 3 credit general education course in technical writing, for undergraduates majoring in Materials Science and Engineering. In it, students will learn how to develop a variety of documents which they will be expected to write during the course of their college and professional careers, including technical/lab reports, posters, fellowship and internship applications, job search documents, progress reports, and formal and informal communications. Other topics would include ethics, literature surveys, critical evaluation of sources, citing of references, and proper data presentation. Embedded within each of these topics and document types will be instruction in the writing process, identifying and assessing your audience, organizing documents, adopting a professional style, learning active and passive voices, and using review and editing techniques.
The proposed course has 5 modules. In the first module, the concepts of materials informatics are presented through spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel) to enable the students practice with the content in a familiar environment. In the second module, computer programming is introduced (e.g., Python) and students learn to replicate tasks from Module 1 using this new tool. In the third module, various flavors of regression are introduced to model materials data, with special emphasis on ways that materials data is different from other data domains. In the fourth module, students learn to access publicly available materials data such as from published literature and online databases using simple APIs. In the final module, the concepts are linked to design and analysis of materials experiments including factorial design of experiments, outlier detection, and hypothesis testing. The overall intention is to provide students with basic skills in analyzing, modeling, and visualizing materials data using a programming language in preparation for the subsequent MATSE 419: Computational Materials Science and Engineering.
The course starts with the first law of thermodynamics and its applications to the calculations of heat involved in various materials processes such as chemical reactions and phase transformations. Second law of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy are then introduced. The application of maximum work theorem to engine efficiency is briefly discussed. Various thermodynamic potentials are defined to determine the equilibrium of a system under various thermodynamic conditions, with an emphasis on the Gibbs free energy functions at constant temperature and pressure conditions. The relationships among thermodynamic properties are derived using the Maxwell relations. Phase diagrams of single-component systems are constructed from the Gibbs free energy function, and the Clapeyron equation is applied to describe the phase boundaries. Applications of thermodynamics to the determination of chemical equilibrium and to the calculation of the voltages of electrochemical reactions are also discussed. The last part of the course is focused on the solution thermodynamics and its application to binary phase-diagrams.
Describe properties of materials and composites and their in vivo interactions. BME 443 (MATSE 403) Biomedical Materials (3) Metals, polymers, and ceramics, and their composites, which are capable of emulating the functions of hard and soft tissues, are the subjects of this course.The subject matter shall be confined to implanted materials; external appliances, such as casts, braces, etc are not considered The topical content of this course will be grouped into four areas. A general introduction to selected aspects of physiology will be presented. This will provide the background necessary to appreciate the factors which govern the selection of biomedical materials. Specific emphases will be placed on polymerization of biopolymers (polypeptides and polysaccharides) and the general relationships between conformation and biological function, the biochemistry of blood and blood surface interactions, the formation of teeth and bone and the relationships between microstructure, composition and function, the immune responses to implanted materials, the resorption of bone (osteoporosis) and the development of caries. The perspective placed on these topics will be that of materials science. 'The selection of ceramics for hard tissue prosthesis will be discussed. Orthopaedic and dental applications for ceramics will be discussed. Specific ceramic materials to be treated include dental porcelain, alumina- and zirconia-based ceramics, and bioglasses and pyrolytic carbons. Various classes of inorganic cements, gypsum, zinc phosphates, zinc carboxylates, silicates, and glassionomer cements will also be considered as ceramics. Hydroxyapatite, Hap-based composites and Hap-metal interactions will be discussed in particular Relationships among physical properties, mechanical properties, and chemical interactions with biological fluids will be described. Dental and orthopedic applications of metals will be described. The fracture toughness of metals, their electrochemical responses in vivo, and the nature of the interfacial interactions with hard tissues will be treated Dental amalgams and the noble metals for dental applications will be considered. Metals and alloys, such as Ti, Co-Cr, and vitallium, used in prosthetic applications, will be described and their properties and limitations discussed The phenomenon of stress shielding and the immune responses associated with the accumulation of metallic and polymeric particular debris in the vicinity of an implant will be discussed in particular Polymeric materials are important in a broad range of biomedical applications. Among these are soft tissue prostheses, hemostatic agents, dental restoratives, bone replacement materials, and surgical adhesives. In some applications it is desirable that a polymeric material biodegrade while in others property retention is desirable.
Nuclear reactor materials: relationship between changes in material properties and microstructural evolution of nuclear cladding and fuel under irradiation. NUC E (MATSE) 409 Nuclear Materials (3) NUC E/MATSE 409 provides a background on the types of materials used in nuclear reactors and their response to neutron irradiation. Most of the materials problems encountered in the operation of nuclear power reactors for energy production are discussed here. The objective of the course is to give nuclear engineering students a background in materials, so they understand the limitations put on reactor operations and reactor design by materials performance. In the first part of the course, we review basic concepts of physical metallurgy, to develop a mechanistic and microstructurally based view of material properties. In the second part of the course, we present the methods to calculate displacement damage to the material produced by exposure to neutron irradiation. The microstructural evolution that results from the reactor exposure (including radiation damage and defect cluster evolution, and changes) is described. The aim is to create a linkage between these changes at the atomistic level and the changes in macroscopic behavior of the material. Special attention is given to property changes that affect fuel performance and operational safety. Both mathematical methods and experimental techniques are emphasized so that theoretical modeling is instructed by experimental data. Students use the TRIM and SPECTER codes to quantitatively evaluate neutron damage, as well as learn simple analytical models that describe microstructural evolution and property changes under irradiation.
Phase rule; construction and interpretations of equilibrium diagrams; importance of nonequilibrium in materials. MATSE 410 Phase Relations in Materials Systems (3) This course integrates three core components of materials science and engineering: thermodynamics, kinetics, and interface crystallography in understanding processing and development of inorganic materials. It is the key course bridging the fundamentals to practical materials processing. Phase equilibria, phase diagrams, phase transformations and heat treatments are addressed in great details through nucleation, transformation kinetics, crystal interface and diffusion. The complexity of materials is discussed in hierarchy from pure elements, binaries, ternaries to multicomponents.
Principles of ceramic processing, including powder preparation and characterization, forming operations, and the basic phenomena underlying these operations. MATSE 411 Processing of Ceramics (3) This course covers the scientific and engineering principles of manufacturing of ceramic products. The course covers powder synthesis and characterization; surface and colloid chemistry; fabrication; and densification by sintering. There is an emphasis on the physical chemistry of particulate systems as relates to the various stages processing. The course is offered every fall semester and is required for BS graduates of the Ceramic Science and Engineering option in Materials Science and Engineering.The course objectives are for the student to (1) become knowledgeable of all steps involved in ceramic manufacture from powder synthesis through final densification by sintering, (2) understand the rationale and compromises for selecting a given processing route, (3) understand and be able to apply the parametric relations for manufacture of a ceramic with a specified microstructure, and (4) understand the physical chemistry fundamentals responsible for the unique properties of fine powders.
Generation of high temperatures, measurement of temperature, heat transfer and furnace design, thermal stability of ceramic materials, applied thermodynamics. MATSE 412 Thermal Properties of Materials (3) The fundamentals of achieving, measuring, and controlling high temperature for materials processing are addressed. The crystal physics underlying heat capacity, internal energy, phonon and photon conduction, and thermal expansion is used to rationalize the behavior of a wide variety of ceramic and metallic materials in severe thermal environments. Micro- and macroscopic thermal transport, thermal shock and fatigue behavior, and thermochemical durability are addressed insofar as their impact on the design of, and with, high performance materials in thermostructural applications. Case studies on materials selection and design using the fundamentals of inorganic crystal chemistry, physics, thermodynamics, kinetics, elastic, and mechanical properties are widely employed. Students interested in disciplines such as metallurgy, ceramic science, electronic and photonic materials, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, engineering science, and chemical engineering will benefit significantly from this course.
The main course objective is to provide sufficient background for the understanding of fundamental phenomena in solid state materials. Mathematical description of periodic arrays and the concept of reciprocal space are introduced, lattice vibrations are discussed. An introduction to quantum mechanics is given and the solution of the stationary Schrödinger Equation for various problems relevant in nanostructured materials is presented. A semi-quantitative approach is taken how the electronic structure of isolated atoms is changed as they bond and form molecules and solids. Emphasis is placed how such bonding influences whether the resulting material will be a metal, an insulator or a semiconductor. The goal is to master the modern framework in solid state materials that describes materials phenomena at an atomic level, such as electronic band structure and electronic transport, the vibrational properties of solid state materials and to prepare the audience for higher level quantum mechanical problems.
Composition, melting, fabrication, properties, and uses of glass; combinations of glass with metals and other materials. MATSE 415MATSE 415 Introduction to Glass Science (3) This course aims to explain the unique characteristics of the glassy state, and to describe their role in the processing, application, and engineering performance of amorphous materials and glass products. The course teaches fundamental concepts of amorphous structure, and then utilizes them to establish structure-property relations in various glass systems. The viscosity, thermal expansion, chemical durability, strength behavior, and optical properties of silicate-based glasses are emphasized, although the important properties of phosphate, halide, and chalcogenide glasses are not overlooked. Also included are phenomenological descriptions of glass formation, liquid-liquid immiscibility, viscous flow, structural relaxation, stress relaxation, and crystallization in glass. Various methods for the synthesis of glass are reviewed (melting, CVD, and sol/gel), along with important manufacturing processes for commercial glass products. Throughout the course, the applications of glass and glass components in electronics, photonics, biomedicine, transportation, and energy are described to rationalize the use of glass (i.e., the materials selection), the specific glass composition, and the associated processing method.
Electrical conductivity, dielectric properties, piezoelectric and ferroelectric phenomena; magnetic properties of ceramics. ESC 417 / MATSE 417 Electrical and Magnetic Properties (3) is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the different responses a material can have to crapplied electrical or magnetic fields. Important properties are introduced and correlated with knowledge of material chemistry, crystal structure, and microstructure to provide an understanding of the mechanisms responsible for controlling the observed properties, as well as the ways in which properties can be engineered. Electronic and magnetic properties encompass dielectric, ferroelectric, conductor, superconductor, and ferromagnetic materials. Material properties and structures are related to sensors, energy storage and conversion devices, biomedical devices and electronic components in telecommunications.
MATSE 419Computational Materials Science and Engineering3
Introduction to computational material science and engineering. Overview of the computational methods for materials, from atomistic to the continuum scale. MATSE 419 Computational Materials Science and Engineering (3) Modeling is a critically important tool in the field of materials. This course is designed to inform students about all areas of materials modeling, and to explore the use of modeling in different research areas. This is a hands-on undergraduate level course, mandatory for all MATSE students, covering current methods for modeling soft and hard matter, at the atomistic, meso and continuum scale levels. It consists of an overview of individual techniques of modeling from atomistic molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo, coarse-grained molecular dynamics, and multiscale modeling, to the continuum (e.g. SAFT, CALPHAD). It also includes a computer laboratory component with hands-on exercises. At the conclusion of the course, students will understand the physical basis and basic procedures of each technique. Students will be able to understand the general literature in modeling and its connection with experimental work, as well as to communicate with experts in the field. From the laboratory practices, they will learn how the individual modeling techniques contribute to knowledge in each area, and to interconnect them with experimental information.
Industrial forms of corrosion and preventive methods, and their description in terms of basic thermodynamic and kinetic considerations. MATSE 421 Corrosion Engineering (3) This 3-credit course is an introduction to the corrosion field and more broadly to the principles of electrochemistry and to the electrode reactions that occur during the undesirable corrosive degradation of metal, and also in various important commercial processes such as electroplating, electroless plating, battery and fuel cell operation, aqueous extraction metallurgy and corrosion prevention techniques. The objectives of this course are to introduce the student to the (1) principles of electrode reactions, (2) nature of commercial corrosion resistant alloys and their compositions, (3) various forms of corrosion and preventative measures, and (4) design of electrochemical laboratory and field procedures for detecting corrosion processes and determining their rates. Thermodynamic and rate data are used to make engineering decisions relative to the occurrence of corrosion, to the effectiveness of the various preventative measures, and to electrochemical design. Corrosion processes and electrode reactions more generally are primarily concerned with the surface properties of materials, but the bulk properties, such as microstructure, grain size, hardness, and composition, are discussed in terms of their impact on materials degradation. In-class closed-book exams and problem sets, and homework that allow student collaboration, are used for evaluation. Computer access to the course is available and includes all lecture material, old exams with answers, home works, and syllabus on the Web. This course is offered every year with typical class size of less than 20 students.
Physico-chemical aspects of high temperature extraction and processing of metals and alloys. Design and evaluation of processes and process options. MATSE 422 MATSE 422 Thermochemical Processing (3) An important goal of materials engineering is to efficiently produce metals and alloys of specific composition. Familiar examples include the tonnage production of metals and alloys, the production of ultra high purity electronic materials such as silicon and germanium, and the deposition of thin films for various applications. In this course the students get an understanding of the physical and chemical principles underlying these operations and how these principles are applied in industrial practice. The students get ample opportunities to apply thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport phenomena to understand why the processes currently in use work. Furthermore, they learn how to marshal information for the design of projected new processes and process options. Broadly stated, the topics include solid-state reactions, production of liquid metals, and processing, all carried out at high temperatures. The topics are covered in a set of lecture notes available from the instructor. The lectures are accompanied by about fifteen problems sets in the form of home work and class work so that the students experience first-hand how the principles of thermodynamics and rate processes are applied in solving important problems in thermochemical processing.
Modern methods of shaping metals in liquid and solid states: casting, joining, powder and deformation processing. Design of new technology. MATSE 425 Processing of Metals (3) This course focuses on how metals and alloys may be processed into different shapes and how those processing procedures affect the metallurgical microstructure and properties. Consideration of shape, the alloy composition, and property goals are all factors in selecting an optimum processing 'window'. Such carefully selected processing conditions not only produce the desired component shape in a cost-efficient manner but also ensure acceptable properties and safe in-service performance. This course surveys the following metal processing procedures: (a) solidification processing, (b) heat
A study of the chemical and engineering principles pertinent to metal processing in aqueous systems: hydrometallurgical extraction, plating, materials preparation. MATSE (MN PR) 426 Aqueous Processing (3) This 3-credit course deals with the chemical and engineering principles underlying the aqueous processing of metals: metal extraction from primary and secondary sources, electroplating, and metal finishing, powder synthesis, energy storage and conversion, and treatment of recycling of metal-containing toxic wastes.1. Physico-Chemical Principles - Thermodynamic, chemical kinetic and transport factors which control hydrochemical processes (leaching; precipitation; adsorption; solvent extraction; ion exchange; electrowinning, electrorefining and electroplating; membrane processes; energy storage and conversion); graphical representation of homogeneous and solid/solution equilibria; chemical reagents.2. Engineering Principles - Reactor design and staged operations; ideal batch, continuous stirred-tank and plug-flow reactors; fluidized bed reactors; electrochemical reactors; multistage separation processes (solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, and gas-liquid systems).3. Process Synthesis - Design of metal separation (extraction, refining, waste treatment) materials synthesis, metal finishing, and energy storage/conversion processes and system-integration of unit operations, industrial practice. Emphasis on closing circuits to minimize or eliminate waste effluents.
MATSE 427Microstructure Design of Structural Materials3
The focus of this course is on understanding the microstructure development and design of structural ferrous metals. The course will begin with understanding the basic physical metallurgy concepts of ferrous metals and applying these principles to understanding their processing/structure/property relationships. Specifically, the alloying principles, phase transformation behavior, and transformation kinetics steels will be considered in detail. Heat treatment practices (annealing, normalizing, quenching, tempering, and precipitation hardening) and their effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of each of these metals will also be studied.
The focus of this course is to understand the phases, microstructures, and mechanical properties of non ferrous structural metals; specifically the alloys of aluminum, titanium, nickel, and copper. The alloying principles, phase transformation behavior, and transformation kinetics for each metal system will be considered in detail. Heat treatment practices (annealing, normalizing, tempering, aging, and precipitation hardening) and their effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of each of these metals will also be studied. Corrosion resistance, weldability, and sustainability will also be considered for the alloy systems.
Elements of crystallography and the characterization of crystalline and non- crystalline materials using x-ray diffraction, electron microscopic, and other instrumental techniques. MATSE 430 Materials Characterization (3) This course will introduce students to characterization techniques for quantifying microstructure, chemistry and atomic structure of solid state materials. Elastic and inelastic interactions of radiation (e.g. electromagnetic and electrons) with solid state materials are the basis for most characterization techniques. Utilizing these interactions it is possible to obtain structural and chemical information from materials, often at small length scales. In this course, students will be introduced to the most common imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy techniques used for materials characterization. They will develop an understanding of the underlying physics behind the techniques to enable interpretation of the data. The course will be beneficial for any student interested in solid-state materials, as it provides a key component of the processing-structure-properties process.
This course provides a broad exploration of polymer material recycling and concepts of sustainable plastics. In particular, course provides an overview of polymeric material recycling and sustainability concepts. The components for the class are arranged as: (1) general overview of plastics and size/economics of the industry, (2) historical aspects on recycling of plastics, (3) environmental costs/savings with plastic use, (4) economics of plastics versus alternative materials, (5) mechanical recycling flaws, (6) environmental degradation and contamination, (7) "new" concepts of advanced recycling, (8) ocean plastics: where and how?, (9) microplastics: sources and impacts.
Fundamental relationships between structure and mechanical behavior of materials. MATSE 436 Mechanical Properties of Materials (3) The topics covered in this course are essential to students in the Materials Science and Engineering options, and these are also required for materials engineering courses nationally accredited by the professional societies. The course is taught at the 400 level because it requires the fundamental courses in mathematics and physics to be completed. The course also requires completion of an introductory course in materials science. This new course typically fits into the junior or senior year, when students in the major are understanding how the properties of materials can be changed by controlling the structure of materials. The course has also been designed such that students in other engineering majors can take this course as a technical elective. Some of the information in this course is used in laboratory courses for the major. The course is not required as a prerequisite for other courses.
Methods and limitations of nondestructive evaluation of mechanical flaws; optical, acoustical, electromagnetic, x-ray, radiography, thermography, and dye techniques.
This 3-credit course focuses on about 50 commercially most important polymers together with the discussion of synthesis routes, industrial production processes, processing methods, physical and chemical properties, and applications. They are classified into 10 families of polymeric materials, which are taught along with introduction of polymeric materials and synthesis of polymers in the beginning of the class.
MATSE 445Thermodynamics, Microstructure, and Characterization of Polymers3
The properties of individual polymer chains will be studied and characterized, including theoretical and experimental techniques pertaining to the characterization of polymeric microstructure. This course develops fundamental understanding of microstructures and chain conformations of polymers. Polymer synthesis, including step-growth and chain polymerizations. The kinetics of polymerization will be considered along with the thermodynamics of polymer solutions and blends.
MATSE 446Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Polymers and Composities3
This course is an introduction to the mechanical and electrical properties of polymers and polymer-based composites: The main focus is on the importance of molecular structure, rubber elasticity, mechanisms of yielding, viscoelasticity, and the manifestation of the static and ac dielectric properties, as well as conduction. The course topics include polymer chain structures and characterization methods, the amorphous state (glass transition), the crystalline state (including X-ray diffraction, degree of crystallinity, and kinetics), polymer networks and gels, mechanical properties, and electrical properties.
MATSE 449Fundamentals of Composite Materials Science and Engineering3
MATSE449 Fundamentals of Composite Materials Science and Engineering covers the fundamental science and engineering of multicomponent materials, with special emphasis on Polymer Matrix Composites. Topics include the design, materials selection, interfaces/interphases, processing, life cycle analysis (of environmental impacts), and properties of these materials. The course works up from atomic and molecular forces, through interfacial interactions, towards stress transfer at interfaces and mechanical properties of composites. Advanced Topics are a major part of the course and are selected from current industrial and commercial examples of composites, such as nanocomposites and nanofillers in composites, non-thermoplastic (rubber/ceramic/metal) matrix composites, life cycle analysis of specific systems, biomimetic and biopolymer composites, etc.
MATSE 450Synthesis and Processing of Electronic and Photonic Materials3
The materials science of applying thin film coatings, etching, and bulk crystal growth; includes materials transport, accumulation, epitaxy, and defects.
MATSE 455Properties and Characterization of Electronic and Photonic Materials3
Materials characterization in general; electrical properties of crystals, contacts, films; optical properties of single phase materials, waveguide, and multilayer stacks.
An introduction to comparative physical properties and characteristics of various materials including mechanical, electrical thermal, and structure/ morphology. MATSE 460 Introductory Laboratory in Materials (1) This is a lab course whose goal is to provide an integrated approach to materials science and engineering. Any individual lab will consist of a number of elements, initially students will be provided with a presentation summary of the proposed lab. This could be film, video, web delivery, hard copy or live presentation. Presentation time will be limited but should be reviewed before students attempt the hands-on lab. All labs will examine a variety of different materials including metal, ceramics and polymers. Labs will be integrative in the sense that they will include use of spreadsheets, data plotting, and presentation of results as written reports and/or as a "PowerPoint" presentation. The labs selected have been chosen specifically because they cut across all current basic materials disciplines. These labs are intended to provide students with a broad appreciation of the range and contrast of material structures and properties, in order that students more fully appreciate the breadth of material science and engineering.
MATSE 462General Properties Laboratory in Materials1
An introduction to comparative physical properties of various materials including mechanical, thermal electrical properties and the measurement of said properties. MATSE 462 General Properties Laboratory in Materials (1) This is a lab course whose goal is to provide an integrated approach to physical property measurements in materials science and engineering. Any individual lab will consist of a number of elements, initially students will be provided with a presentation summary of the proposed lab. This could be film, video, web delivery, hard copy or live presentation. Presentation time will be limited but should be reviewed before students attempt the hands-on lab. All labs will examine a variety of different materials including metal, ceramics, polymers and composites. Labs will be integrative in the sense that they will include use of spreadsheets, data plotting, and presentation of results as written reports and/or as a 'PowerPoint' presentation. The labs selected have been chosen specifically because they cut across all current basic materials disciplines. These labs are intended to provide students with a broad appreciation of the range and contrast of material properties and the measurement of such properties, in order that students more fully appreciate the breadth of material science and engineering.
MATSE 463Characterization and Processing of Electronic and Photonic Materials Laboratory1
Provides experience with key processing methods for EPM materials and advanced characterization methods for EPM materials and simple device structures.
Students will learn general principles of occupational safety and health as well as specific Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards applicable to engineers and those working in industrial workplaces. The goal of the course is to improve hazard recognition and control competency. Students will demonstrate knowledge via activities, assignments, and evaluations. Practical demonstrations will be provided in the classroom and laboratory settings. Students can earn their OSHA 30-Hour Card. This is an industry recognized credential that demonstrates the student has a foundational understanding of safety standards, processes, and other requirements. The credential will make students more marketable for working in industry.
Cermaic processing and powder characteristics. MATSE 468 Ceramics Laboratory III (1)This course will demonstrate to students the experimental techniques by which the key powder characteristics and powder processes are determined, how to analyze the data from the measurements, and to reveal the interaction between properties, processing and structure. The course concentrates on the importance of powder characterization, forming techniques, sintering and microstructure characterization in the processing of ceramics.
A laboratory integrating experimental aspects of the material contained in MATSE 425, casting, solidification micro-structures heat treating, welding, etc. MATSE 471 Metallurgy Laboratory I (1) This course is largely a metals processing laboratory focused on casting, metal deformation, heat treating, and welding. Understanding how these processes affect microstructure and properties will be studied.
Principles and practices of polymerization, including condensation, free radical (bulk, solution, suspension, emulsion), ionic, and Zeigler-Natta procedures. MATSE 473 Polymeric Materials Laboratory--Synthesis (1) This laboratory course provides students exposure to a variety of synthetic techniques basic to Polymer Science. From the polymerization of styrene to the preparation of urethane foams, students will see the role varied synthetic methods and chemistries play in determining the final form and properties of a given polymer. Students also learn the polymer structure characterization by examining the produced polymers with proper tools and instruments.
Fundamentals of processing particulate materials including production, characterization, handling, compaction, and sintering of metal, carbide, intermetallic, and composite powders.
Introduction to computer simulation techniques and their applications at the physical/life sciences interface. E SC (MATSE) 483 Simulation and Design of Nanostructures (3) Students will learn the simulation techniques and the design rules of nanostructures. Basic concepts of computer modeling will be introduced using quantum and classical approaches. Fundamental physical phenomena encountered in the molecular fields of computational physics, chemistry, and biology will be studied. Applications are drawn from a broad range of fields including soft and condensed matter to build an understanding of nanostructures.The course will assume knowledge and skill developed in the prerequisite courses of PHYS 214 and MATH 230. Students are expected to combine knowledge from other courses with information presented here to develop sophisticated interpretations and understanding of physical and chemical principles of nanostructures and their design rules.Evaluation methods to be used in this course will be two in-class examinations and one final period examination. The course contains a computer code generation and implementation component. Students will use commercial or educational computer codes (e.g. Matlab, Mathematica, AMBER, CHARMM, VASP, etc.) which are available at our high performance computing clusters (http://gears.aset.psu.edu/hpc/)/ Students will use the computing clusters to perform simulations which are accessible from any classroom or laboratory at Penn State.The principal objectives of the course is to learn the fundamental physics of nanostructures and to design them with computer simulations. This approach starts from classical molecular dynamics that apply on the large scale biological and synthetic assemblies and encompasses quantum mechanics for the molecular and atomic sizes. This course will give a broad scientific picture of simulation techniques in the area of nano-science and technology.
MATSE 492WMaterials Engineering Methodology and Design3
Designed to familiarize students with the literature and technology developments in the use of, and design with, materials in industrial applications. MATSE 492 Materials Engineering Methodology and Design (3) The objective of this course is to teach students the skills to solve realistic problems related to the use of materials in industrial practice. This will be accomplished by considering alternatives for materials design or selection and proposing the most effective scientific or engineering solutions. The methodology will take into account other forces acting on the design process, such as economic, environmental, sustainability, manufacturability, ethical, health and safety, social and political concerns. Students will develop these design skills by working in teams on projects defined by industry, and will learn to communicate their solutions in verbal and written form. Students will also learn the key features needed in developing a team approach to solving problems. Typically, evaluation is based on written reports, performance in presentations, and instructors's assessment of the student's participation in design team activities. At the conclusion of the course, each student will select a design or independent research topic for their capstone senior-year design project.
MATSE 493WMaterials Science and Engineering Multidisciplinary Capstone Design Project3
This course focuses on multidisciplinary industry-sponsored and community service-based design projects offered in conjunction with the College of Engineering's Learning Factory. MATSE 493W Materials Science and Engineering Multidisciplinary Capstone Design Project (3) This course will provide students with the opportunity to learn the design process in the context of an industry-sponsored or community service-based design project that demands they produce a working solution. The design projects in this course will be structured for students from two or more different engineering majors, as defined by the project sponsors in collaboration with the instructor and departmental project coordinators. The project sponsor will provide the technical expertise for theproject, a clear definition of all project deliverables that are expected, and the financial support to cover needed materials and supplies and travel costs. Project sponsors will be invited to attend the Project Kickoff at the start of the semester to present their ideas and answer questions from the students as well as the Design Showcase at the end of the semester where teams display their results to the project sponsorsand the public. The Center for Engineering Design and Entrepreneurship (CEDE) in Hammond Building and the BernardM. Gordon Learning Factory will provide the facilities where the design teams can work together to develop the design concept and prototype solutions. Faculty members in the School of EngineeringDesign, Technology, and Professional Programs (SEDTAPP) will administer the course, including reading, evaluating, and grading the final project report, provide lectures on topics including on project management, design, product manufacturing, intellectual property, engineering ethics, societal/global/contemporary/professional issues, and related technical topics, and organize invited technical lectures related to industry projects. In accordance with standard Learning Factory procedures,specific multidisciplinary projects will be selected for this course to provide challenging senior-year design experiences for all students, and the Director of the Learning Factory will coordinate the selection of these projects with the course instructor prior to the start of each semester of the course offering. Multidisciplinary teams will be formed based on specific project needs (i.e., expertise from two or moredisciplines based on the project scope).
MATSE 494W Research and Design Senior Project (2) This course continues the senior thesis research topic addressed by the student in MATSE 493W. This is a capstone research/design project which integrates: a) background literature search with articulation of a research hypothesis, b) design and implementation of an experimental plan to test the hypothesis, and c) conclusions regarding the validity of the hypothesis based on the experimental data obtained in the course of the research.The main characteristic of this course is the performance of the research plan articulated in MATSE 493W, followed by interpretation of the data in the context of the original hypothesis(es). Laboratory research is generally performed in collaboration with faculty and graduate research assistants, using equipment and facilities in a wide range of laboratories throughout campus. Occasionally, the nature of the research may require the student to collaborate with researchers outside of Penn State, perhaps even spending some time in residence at other facilities.The course culminates in the preparation of a bound thesis detailing the relevance and findings of the research. Assessment of the student's progress is via grading of all components of the thesis (literature review/background, statement of the problem, design of the experimental plan, results and discussion, conclusions, recommendations for future work, and references/appendices), as well as the diligence of the student in performing the experimental research in a professional and timely fashion. The course is offered each semester to allow for differing schedules for students following the conventional MATSE curriculum versus those who have elected to participate in the Cooperative Education program.
MATSE 501 Thermodynamics of Materials (3) The goal of this course is to teach the fundamental principles of thermodynamics of materials from a practical viewpoint - thermodynamics as a "toolbox" to help understand chemical behavior of materials. It attempts to integrate chemistry, phase equilibria, and thermodynamics of a materials system as different means of describing the same chemical behavior. It develops quantitative relationships among them. Thermodynamic terms/values are defined in terms of measurable quantities such as temperature, pressure (partial pressures), and concentrations to diminish the abstract nature of thermodynamics. The course emphasizes problem solving, and more specifically, developing explanations and understanding of chemical and thermal behavior observed in the laboratory/industry. A integral part of the course is to teach the use of state-of-the-art equilibrium themiodynamics computer software as an aid in performing calculations, particularly those involving chemically complex systems with many species.
MATSE 502Applied Machine Learning for Materials Science and Engineering3
This course provides students with modern machine learning methodologies applied to materials science and engineering data. Topics span regression, classification, clustering, dimensionality reduction, neural networks (including convolutional, graph, and generative architectures), inverse modeling, uncertainty estimation, and multi-task learning, with attention to feature engineering, hyperparameter optimization, and model validation. The course emphasizes interpretability and domain integration via using feature attribution, uncertainty-aware predictions, and hybrid physics-ML workflows applied to real materials datasets (e.g., microstructure images, spectroscopy, molecular graphs). Students will implement methods in Python, critically engage with recent literature, and complete an individual project applying interpretable ML tools to a materials science challenge.
This course covers fundamentals of atomistic theories and phenomenological descriptions of kinetic processes in solids. It provides the foundation for the advanced understanding of materials processing, phase transformations, and microstructural evolution. Topics include atomistic mechanisms of diffusion, solutions to the phenomenological diffusion equation, diffusion along extended defects, gas-solid reactions, phase transformations, computer simulation of diffusional processes, and microstructure evolution.
The main course objective is to present fundamental concepts and models to develop students' quantitative understanding of mechanical, electrical, optical, and thermal phenomena in solid-state materials. Emphasis is placed not only on the discussion of material properties, but also on building a comprehensive understanding of how structure affects properties in solid state materials and vice versa. An overview of quantum mechanics is given and applied to understanding confinement effects and their implication for electronic and optical properties in nanostructured materials. It is further used to provide a solid foundation for understanding LCAO, MO theory, and tight binding approximations as powerful tools towards a modern understanding of structure property relationships in materials science, bridging all the way from the atomic scale of structure to macroscopic scale of properties. The course content is reinforced by utilizing interactive simulation programs. The structure and physical properties of most solids can be understood from fundamental building blocks developed in the last century, namely, crystal structure and symmetry of the organization of atomic nuclei in a solid, and the organization of electrons throughout this periodic Coulombic potential generated by the nuclei in a crystal. These are the essential concepts that will be emphasized in this course. It will begin with a description of crystal structure and diffraction theory to understand the crystal structure in real and momentum spaces in the form of a review. This will be followed by classical and semi-classical description of solids beginning from the free electron theory in metals, to tight binding theory in insulators, and band structure in semiconductors. Examples are given for how these different materials are employed in modern electronics and optoelectronics. One of the unique aspects of this course is that computer simulations will be used to aid in "visualizing" the concepts learnt in the class to develop an intuitive understanding of the structure in solid-state materials and their properties. The goal of the course is to equip the student with the knowledge necessary to master the modern framework in solid state materials that describes phenomena, such as electronic band structure, electronic transport, and the vibrational and thermal properties of solid state materials at an atomic level, and to prepare them for higher level graduate courses. The course is suitable for anyone interested in the science and engineering aspects of materials.
Electrochemical processes play a pivotal role in the development of new energy storage devices, energy-efficient material separation processes, and corrosion-resistant materials. This course covers the thermodynamic and transport properties of electrochemical systems, electrochemical characterization techniques, and their application in materials research. The course gives students an overview of the fundamental principles of electrochemical cells and electrode reactions based on the thermodynamic and transport properties at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The course will begin with thermodynamics of electrode reactions both in aqueous and non-aqueous electrolytes (e.g., molten salts), including the measurement techniques and Pourbaix diagrams. Then, the course will progress to kinetic aspects of electrode reactions, followed by the electrochemical characterization methods to determine critical kinetic parameters (e.g., exchange current density, diffusivity, and Tafel constants) based on dc (e.g., controlled potential, controlled current, and cyclic voltammetry) and ac techniques (e.g., a.c. voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy). Throughout the course, the application of electrochemical principles in modern materials research and processes will be covered, including electrochemical separation processes (e.g., electroplating, electrorefining, and electrowinning cells) of energy materials, evaluation of corrosion-resistant alloys, and electrochemical power sources (e.g., batteries and fuel cells).
Special properties of surfaces as an important causative and mediating agent in the biological response to materials. BIOE 517 BIOE 517. (MATSC 517) Biomaterials Surface Science (3)This course will factor the classical picture of the biological response to materials into spatial and temporal components, identifying the special properties of surfaces as an important causative and mediating agent. Emphasis will be on biophysical mechanisms and the biological response to materials. Contact activation of blood plasma coagulation cascade, bioadhesion, and protein adsorption will be repeatedly used as example biological response to materials surfaces to illustrate concepts and principles. Leading theories attempting to correlate both kinds of intensity of biological responses to surface and interfacial energetics will be compared and contrasted through a process that will quantify important surface thermodynamic properties of materials. The hydrophobic effect and related phenomena, especially as this pertains to water solvent effects in biology, will receive special emphasis. A general background in chemistry and/or biology is required, but prerequisites are purposefully limited, reflecting the interdisciplinary aspects of the subject and to draw students from different specializations.
Properties and methods of producing metallic, ceramic, and polymeric materials used for biomedical applications. BIOE 508 BIOE (MATSC) 508 Biomedical Materials (3) The topical content of this course will be grouped into 4 areas. A general introduction to selected aspects of physiology will be presented. This will provide the background necessary to appreciate the factors which govern the selection of biomedical materials. Specific emphases will be placed on the polymerization of biopolymers (polypeptides and polysaccharides) and the general relationships between conformation and biological function, the biochemistry of blood and blood surface interactions, the formation of teeth and bone and the relationships between microstructure, composition and function, the immune responses to implanted materials, the resorption of bone (osteoporosis),and the development of caries. The perspective placed on these topics will be that of materials science. The selection of ceramics for hard tissue prosthesis will be described. Orthopaedic and dental applications for ceramics will be discussed. Specific ceramic materials to be treated include dental porcelain, alumina- and zirconia-based ceramics, and bioglasses. Various classes of inorganic cements, gypsum, zinc phosphates, zinc carboxylates, silicates, and glass-ionomer cements will also be considered as ceramics. Hydroxyapatite, HAp-based composites and HAp-metal interactions will be discussed in particular. Relationships among physical properties, mechanical properties, and chemical interactions with biological fluids will be described.Dental and orthopaedic applications of metals will be described. The fracture toughness of metals, their electrochemical responses in vivo, and the nature of the interfacial interactions with hard tissues will be treated. Dental amalgams and the noble metals for dental applications will be considered. Metals and alloys, such as Ti, Co-Cr, and stainless steel used in prosthetic applications will be described and their properties and limitations discussed. The phenomenon of stress shielding and the immune responses associated with the accumulation of metallic and polymeric particulate debris in the vicinity of an implant will be discussed in particular.Polymeric materials are important in a broad range of biomedical applications. Among these are soft tissue prostheses, hemostatic agents, dental restoratives, bone replacement materials, and surgical adhesives. In some applications, it is desirable that a polymeric material biodegrade while in others property retention is desirable. Because of the spectrum of applications for polymers, the topics to be covered will be limited with the intent to concentrate on hemocompatible polymers, acrylics used as bone cements, polyethylene used as bearing surfaces in prostheses, and dental resins and bonding materials. Other relevant polymers and their applications will be discussed.
Drug delivery systems (DDS) are technologies that improve pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of drugs with the goal to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Key to successful development of DDS is to design drug vehicles that can deliver controlled amounts of drugs to the sites of interest for required periods of time by overcoming the challenges due to the complexity of biological systems. With the evolution of materials science and nanotechnology, a wide variety of materials ranging from polymeric or inorganic nanomaterials, hydrogels, bioresponsive/biomimetic/bioinspired materials, and micro/nanofabricated devices have been developed to fulfill the need for achieving maximum therapeutic outcomes of pharmaceutics. The course will be designed to present the importance of integrating the knowledge and technologies of materials science, engineering, chemistry, biology, medicine and life science to advance this interdisciplinary research field. In addition, it will discuss how the developed technologies provide innovative approaches to translate basic knowledge into healthcare technologies. For this purpose, the course will first focus on the principles of drug therapy, therapeutic targets and requirements for designing drug delivery systems. It will also cover the general aspects of interaction with materials with biological systems, including relationships between properties of materials and their interactions with proteins, blood, and cells, clearance of materials in the body, and strategies to design materials to avoid these foreign body responses. These points will be explained from the viewpoint of materials scientists, chemists, and engineers. The course will also discuss the applications of different types of materials for drug delivery, including polymeric nanomaterials, organic-inorganic hybrid materials, hydrogels and microfabricated devices. In this part of the course, the historical overview as well as recent research progress in this field will be discussed to explain the strategies and methodologies to develop new materials for a wide variety of therapeutics including chemotherapeutics, nucleic acids, proteins, bioimaging reagents, reactive oxygen species and gaseous signal transmitters. Furthermore, the course will discuss the current challenges in the drug delivery research field, and future directions. Throughout the course, recent research papers will be presented to discuss the on-going research in this field, and develop the ability to read scientific articles critically.
Physical and chemical principles of characterization techniques widely used in materials science, chemistry and engineering. CH E (MATSE) 510 Surface Characterization of Materials (3) Surface and interface characterization is an important subject in nanotechnology, heterogeneous catalysis, semiconductor processing, advanced functional materials, biomaterials, corrosion, environmental science, and tribology. This course will study the physical and chemical principles of representative characterization techniques widely used in these research areas. Topics covered in this course include surface chemistry and physics fundamentals, x-ray and electron-based spectroscopy, vibration spectroscopy, ellipsometry, microscopy with physical probes, and multivariate data analysis. Physical principles and practical applications will be studied through theoretical calculations, data analysis, and literature reviews.
Relation of structure to ionic size and nature; influence of pressure and temperature on structure; chemical-structural defects, crystalline solutions, phase-transitions. MATSE (GEOSC) 512 Principles of Crystal Chemistry (3) Crystal chemistry is concerned with the systematics of crystal structures as determined by ionic sizes and characteristics of chemical bonds and with changes in crystal structure with variations in temperature and pressure. The course begins with a short review of crystallography. It then proceeds to elements and ions as the building blocks of crystals. Models for the chemical bonds which bind elements and ions into crystals include classical electrostatic theory, crystal field theory, molecular orbital theory, and band theory. The principles underlying each model are explained. The next step in the buildup of crystals is to explain the principles of ionic packing, crystal defects, and the concepts of polymorphism and phase transitions.With the underlying principles and theory in place, the second half of the course deals with a systematic presentation of the various families of crystal structures, their properties, and some indication of the practical utilization of the various structural families. The discussion proceeds from binary packing structures to packing structures of ternary and quaternary composition, to metal structures, to silicate structures, to organic crystals, to defect structures and non-crystalline solids.The course is divided into seven parts, and grading is achieved by a 30-minute quiz following completion of each part. There is no suitable textbook, but a comprehensive set of printed notes is provided as are recommended readings of selected review articles and current literature. Students are also required to prepare a semester paper on a topic of their choice.
Classical and new (microprobe, scanning microscope, magnetic resonance, and Mossbauer) techniques for the characterization of composition, structure, defects, and surfaces. MATSE 514 Characterization of Materials (3) This course is designed for graduate and selected undergraduate students. The broad spectrum of the various materials characterization techniques will be briefly surveyed. Students will not be taught how to run specific instruments or be expected to be an expert on the analytical techniques. However, students will be given assignments that require a search of the literature and having discussions with the relevant experts to develop a detailed understanding of specific characterization techniques. Students will also be required to apply statistical methods in their assigned projects.The objectives of the course include the presentation of a survey of material characterization techniques, lectures on experimental design and use of statistical techniques, as well as problem-solving techniques. The goal is to provide students with a foundation in the use of characterization techniques to solve and diagnose material problems that can be identified and potentially resolved with materials characterization.The first part of the lectures provides a survey on many of the material characterization techniques. The second part of the course covers statistical analysis of experimental data including small population statistics, error analysis, curve fitting routines, and a brief survey of statistical experimental design. The third part of the course covers problem-solving techniques using materials characterization. Several characterization problems are given to the class that require the formation of project teams composed of 4 to 5 class members to resolve. Each project team prepares oral and written reports for the problem selected.
MATSE 516Solid State Phase Transformations in Metallic Materials3
Metallic material systems or alloys are used across a wide range of applications. In order to obtain the desired properties, these materials are subjected to a range of thermo-mechanical processing steps and post-processing heat treatments which drive phase transformations while the material is in the solid state. The mechanisms of these solid-state phase transformations involve a wide range of fundamental materials science concepts, including crystallography, nucleation, grain growth, and diffusion. Practitioners must have knowledge across a range of materials disciplines, including thermodynamics, kinetics, and crystallography, in order to synthesize and capture the complex processes occurring over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. Knowledge of these fundamental concepts along with their interactions over a range of length scales is applicable across a range of conventional and emerging materials processing fields, from primary steelmaking through heat treatment of nickel and aluminum-base alloys through the additive manufacturing of a wide range of advanced materials. In this course, a comprehensive study of solid state phase transformations in metallic materials will be undertaken. Beginning with the underlying crystal structures prominent in common alloy systems, the role of diffusion and nucleation and grain growth will be undertaken to describe the early stages of phase transformations. The resulting interfaces between different phases will be investigated along with the orientation relationships and the development of equilibrium precipitate morphologies. Building on solid state nucleation theory, microstructural development and precipitation and growth of secondary phases in both equilibrium and non-equilibrium conditions will be studied, to include common invariant transformations as well as spinodal decomposition, order-disorder transformations, and the formation of bainite and martensite. These fundamental materials processes will then be investigated for conditions prevalent in advanced manufacturing processes and correlated with advanced and emerging characterization tools.
This course provides fundamental understanding of basic principles in polymer science and connects these to current research topics at Penn State as well as novel findings in soft material science at other institutions. Interdisciplinary in content, the curriculum spans from polymer synthesis (chemistry), to physical properties (physics), to characterization, to engineering (chemical engineering), to application of polymer materials (materials science). Two areas of focus will lie on (i) the environmental impact of commodity plastics and (ii) conductive polymers and their every-day use in display technology and energy harvesting. While polymers are versatile and broadly applicable, there lie significant dangers in their use for us as a society. For example, while the drive for flexible displays and solar cells is increasing, there is no clear pathway for efficient recycling of the resulting electronic polymeric materials. To this end, this course will engage students in discussions about industrial processing of polymers and the importance to find new pathways for their recycling.
MATSE 523Environmental Degradation of Materials in Nuclear Power Plants3
Degradation of materials performance when exposed to the combination of high temperature, neutron irradiation, and aggressive electrochemistry found in nuclear reactors.
MATSE 525Communicating Topics in Materials Science3
This course is designed to expand students' knowledge of materials science, engineering, and research. The course will cover the properties and applications of a broad range of materials based on each student's proposed research topic. Students will develop an understanding of the primary characterization methods that are used to study and measure the physical and chemical properties of the chosen material and how to appropriately communicate research ideas to their peers. Additionally, students will learn about the broader impacts of their work and the importance of broadening participation - each of which are required elements in NSF proposal.
Reciprocal lattices and the Ewald sphere construction; crystal structure determination by powder and single crystal techniques; space groups. MATSE 530 X-Ray Crystallography and Diffraction (3) MATSE 530 is a general introduction to the crystallography and x-ray diffraction for a variety of different studies of the structure of solids. Students will gain an understanding of basic crystallography, the geometry of diffraction measurements and instrumentation, and the interpretation of diffraction data. Diffraction studies using synchrotron radiation and neutrons are also discussed.
Diffraction pattern analysis and simple contrast theory applied to the structures of materials; analytical techniques in the microscope. MATSE 531 Transmission Electron Microscopy (3) This course will present the fundamentals of elastic and inelastic electron beam interactions with solid-state materials. Students will learn theoretical and practical aspects of electron diffraction and imaging, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. They will learn how to apply this knowledge to conduct experiments in and interpret data from the transmission electron microscope.
MATSE 534Advanced Solidification Processes in Metallic Materials3
The emergence of advanced manufacturing processes, such as additive manufacturing, has introduced high levels of uncertainty in well-established process - structure - property- performance relationships. A comprehensive understanding of solidification across spatial and temporal scales is needed in order to identify the underlying phenomena driving these unique structures and properties. In this course, the processes driving solidification and the properties of liquid metals will be covered to provide a framework for understanding more complex solidification processes in multi-component systems. Building on a fundamental understanding of both the thermodynamics and kinetics of solidification processes, the properties of interfaces and nucleation and growth will be studied across a range of material systems, including those exhibiting eutectic and peritectic transformations. With this basic knowledge, the role of complex processing conditions and their impact on multi-component alloy systems will be investigated for conditions prevalent in advanced manufacturing processes and correlated with advanced and emerging characterization tools.
Derivation of lattices, types, point groups, and space groups; and group theory applied to crystallography and spectroscopy. MATSE 535 Geometrical Crystallography (3) Visual, mathematical, and group theory approaches are used to examine in detail the geometry of periodic, quasiperiodic, and incommensurate structures. From computer-assisted class discussions and weekly homework assignments, the student becomes familiar with the symmetry operations involved in translation, rotation, and color changes. Point groups, space groups, and color groups are derived through a combination of visual and mathematical considerations. The structure of group theory is then explored and applied to the derivation of space groups.
Symmetry aspects of crystals and physical properties. Matrix and tensor methods. MATSE 540 Crystal Anisotropy (3) In this course symmetry and tensors are used to describe the physical properties of materials as a function of direction, i.e., how a material will respond to different types of stimuli as a function of direction. A variety of thermal, mechanical, electric, magnetic, and optical properties are covered, including pyroelectricity, pyromagnetism, thermal expansion, dielectric constant, magnetic susceptibility, piezoelectricity, piezomagnetism, elastic stiffness and compliance, electrostriction, magnetostriction, index of refraction, and non-linear optical effects. At first the response of single crystals are considered, but this is later extended to polycrystalline samples with various types of texture.As the course makes extensive use of symmetry, several weeks are dedicated to the development of the 32 crystallographic point groups using group theory. Symmetry operations are described using coordinate transformation matrices and stereographic projections. Both tensor quantities and tensor properties are described as a function of increasing tensor rank (up to fourth rank) for a multitude of polar tensors followed by axial tensors. For magnetic materials, the 90 magnetic point groups are introduced. For polycrystalline materials, the 7 Curie groups are utilized. A variety of practical examples illustrating the use of tensors to describe the properties of materials are covered in class and in in-depth homework sets involving both matrix and tensor form. The computer program Mathematica is used extensively in class and in the homework sets to visualize the physical properties of materials in three dimensions as well as to rapidly apply symmetry and tensor methods to high-rank tensor properties of low symmetry materials.
Introduction to the fundamental concepts necessary to understand solid state structure and properties of polymer materials. MATSE 542 Polymeric Materials: The Solid State (3) This course will cover concepts important to understanding polymer solids and their physical properties. We will begin with the concept of (partial) crystallinity, and the solid state microstructure of semi-crystalline polymers and copolymers. The fundamentals of crystallization kinetics of polymers will be covered, as will the concept of 'annealing'. Wide-angle x-ray diffraction and small-angle x-ray scattering methods will be discussed in the context of characterization of crystalline polymer structure. A discussion of nanoscale associations in both crystalline and non-crystalline ion-containing polymers will complete the first portion of the course. Several classes on the liquid crystalline state will follow, together with discussion of lyotropic and thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. The fundamentals of binary and ternary polymer mixtures will come next. Concepts important to both miscible blends (e.g. concentration fluctuations) and immiscible blends (e.g. rubber toughening) will be covered. The origin of the morphology (phase diagrams) and properties of di-, tri- and multblock copolymers will be discussed, as will their role as interfacial agents in multiphase systems. The latter portion of the course will be concerned with electrical and mechanical properties. The former will focus on dielectric relaxation, and conductivity (both electronic and ionic). The latter will focus on the relationship between solid state structure and mechanical (including viscoelastic) properties.
This graduate course discusses the new advances in polymer chemistry that leads to new polymeric materials with interesting structures and properties. CHEM (MATSE) 543CHEM (MATSE) 543 Polymer Chemistry (3) This course provides advance level of polymer chemistry and materials taught in MATSE 441 - Polymeric Materials. Students are able to know the versatility that is inherent in polymer chemistry and the new research results and activities, especially controlling polymerization, polymer structures, designing polymers with desirable properties, etc. Students shall also understand the major economic and environmental concerns and solutions in producing commercial-scale polymers.This polymer chemistry course provides important links between chemistry and polymeric materials. The course will focus on recent advances in polymer chemistry that affords new polymer materials with controlled polymer structures, compositions, and properties, as well as economic and "green" processes.This course is designed for graduate students having basic knowledge in organic, inorganic, and organometallic principles. For Chemistry major, this course offers students with the knowledge to apply chemical principles and methods to design and prepare the desirable polymers (no prerequisite for Chemistry graduate students). For Material Science and other majors, this course provides advance level of polymer chemistry and materials taught in MATSE 441 (a prerequisite course).In addition, each student will be required to review (presentation and term-paper) a contemporary subject relative to polymer chemistry, which will help student self-education, and presentation and writing skills. Students will be evaluated by quizzes and examinations, a term-paper and presentation, and class participation.
Physical principles and experimental methods used to characterize the electrical, optical, structural and chemical properties of semiconductor materials.
MATSE 546Advanced Metallic Material Feedstocks for Additive Manufacturing4
Additive manufacturing (AM) processes use a variety of metallic material forms to produce complex components. These material forms can vary from metallic powders with a rather wide range of size distributions to metal wire to sheet and other more complex composite material types. Knowledge of the processing of these different feedstock forms along with means to characterize them is needed to develop AM processes and procedures capable of being more widely used, particularly in critical applications. In this course, the production, handling, blending, and characterization of common metallic and composite feedstock materials will be covered. Feedstock forms to be addressed include metal and metal-ceramic composite powders, wire, and sheets, along with new product forms becoming available. A multi-disciplinary approach will be taken to elucidate the connections between production, characterization, and handling to develop an understanding of the role of feedstocks on the resulting process-structure-property relationships for AM processes and products.
Preparation and properties of ceramic semiconductors, dielectrics, and magnetic materials. MATSE 548 Dielectric & Other Electroceramics (3) This course reviews the fundamental underpinnings of electroceramic materials as used in passive, active, and sensor components, and systems. The recent literature and industrial trends are critically discussed within the course to aid students in identifying key material science problems to be solved in this area.
Design and interpretation of ceramic microstructures through an understanding of the physics and chemistry of sintering and grain growth. MATSE 552 Sintering of Ceramics (3) This course is about the processing of ceramic-based materials by sintering processes. Sintering is the thermal processing of a porous material which results in a decrease in surface free energy, strengthening and usually densification. The first half of the course covers the thermodynamics, mechanisms, kinetics, and models for densification. The theory of grain growth and coarsening processes are also discussed. The relations between densification and grain growth are discussed as they influence microstructure evolution. Tools for characterizing sintering and grain growth processes are reviewed. Practical applications of sintering for the manufacture of ceramic-based components ranging from low temperature co-fired ceramics to transparent ceramics are discussed.
Introduction to the fundamental concepts needed to understand the physics applicable to polymer melts, solutions and gels. MATSE (PHYS) 555 Polymer Physics I (3) This course develops fundamental understanding of the conformations of polymers in solution and melt states. We start with ideal chains that have random walk statistics. Next excluded volume is introduced to understand the self-avoiding walk conformation and collapsed conformation of real chains. The behavior ideal and real chains are studied in extension, compression and adsorption. While positive excluded volume leads to swelling, negative excluded volume leads to collapse and phase separation. The phase behavior of polymer mixtures and solutions is described in detail Semidilute solutions are understood in terms of two length scales where each chain changes it's conformational statistics. Scattering is used to determine the conformation of chains, their molar mass and their interactions with surroundings. Percolation theory is introduced to model the statistics of random branching and gelation. The rubber elasticity of fully developed networks is understood in terms of the stretching laws for network chains. Entanglement effects, swelling and viscoelasticity are discussed in detail. Once the conformations of polymers are understood, dynamics of polymer liquids are considered. In dilute solutions hydrodynamic interactions dominate and the viscoelasticity predicted by the Zimm model is derived. In unentangled melts of short chains, hydrodynamic interactions are screened and the Rouse model is used to understand viscoelasticity. Unentangled polymers in semidilute solutions have Zimm dynamics on small length scales and Rouse dynamics on longer length scales. Dynamic scattering techniques are discussed for measuring polymer dynamics. Entanglement effects are described using the tube model, where surrounding chains confine the motion of a given polymer to a tube-like region. The effects of concentration, chain length and polydispersity of linear chain polymer liquids are discussed in detail. The effects of branching on polymer dynamics are introduced at the level of simple structures such as star polymers and comb polymers. The course assumes some prior knowledge of polymers, usually obtained through an introductory undergraduate course. The students should attain a working understanding of the basic concepts of polymer physics in this course, allowing them to tackle more difficult problems in their research. Such skills are reinforced through homework and take-home examinations.
MATSE 556Polymer and Composite Materials for Additive Manufacturing3
This course will focus on how polymers are used in 3D printing including topics of thermal processing, photopolymerization, composites, and modern topics at the intersection of polymer science and additive manufacturing. Of particular importance will be the description of how additive manufacturing processes influence the final properties of polymeric and composite materials. The details of polymer chemistry and material structure will be covered to give students foundational knowledge in materials and additive processes. Basic ASTM processes in additive manufacturing will be described along with hybrid processes and topics in modern research. This course will give students a competitive advantage in understanding both materials and new manufacturing processes. The unique aspects of additive manufacturing will be discussed in the context of manufacturing economics and its impact on polymer processing as the industry and the technology develops.
Fundamental physico-chemical factors underlying the aqueous extraction and recovery of metals and nonmetals from ores, minerals, and scrap metal. MN PR 507 (MATSE 560) Hydrometallurgical Processing (3) This 3-credit course is concerned with the fundamental physico-chemical processes associated with the processing, utilization, and recycling of materials in aqueous systems. The topics covered cut across a wide range of practical applications. The course is therefore suitable for a broad spectrum of scientists and engineers concerned with processes and processing in aqueous systems, e.g., in materials science and engineering, mineral processing, geoscience, soil science, environmental engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, petroleum and natural gas engineering, mining engineering, nuclear engineering, and electronic and electrical engineering. A required term paper provides a formal mechanism for ensuring that students have the opportunity to apply ideas discussed in the course to their specific areas of interest.
Deformation of crystalline/amorphous solids and relationship to structure; elastic, viscoelastic and plastic response over a range of temeratures and strain rates. EMCH 535 / MATSE 564 Deformation Mechanisms in Materials (3) The course will study the relationship between the deformation mechanisms in materials and their structure. The types of deformation behavior considered in the course are linear elasticity (isotropic or anisotropic), viscoelasticity and plastic deformation. For the elastic behavior, the emphasis will be on the way elastic behavior is controlled by atomic structure and microstructure. The constitutive laws that describe this behavior and the assumptions on which they are based will be introduced. The next phase of the course considers the range of deformation behavior from purely viscous (linear or non-linear) to viscoelastic. Initially, the emphasis will be on the effects of temperature and strain history and the way this behavior is described by mechanical analogs. The effect of structure on creep and stress relaxation will be described. The use of linear viscoelasticity in describing the sintering process will also be included. In ductile crystalline materials, deformation is associated with the movement of dislocations. The types of dislocations, their stress fields and energies will be described. These aspects will then be combined with structural features by including considerations of slip geometry and obstacles to dislocation motion. This approach will allow strengthening methods to be identified and quantified. Finally, creep mechanisms in crystalline materials at high temperature will be discussed and quantified.
Processing and performance of metals in electronics, covering electrical resistivity, metal film deposition, metal/semiconductor contacts, interconnects, and electronic packaging. MATSE 565 Metals in Electronics (3) This course addresses the processing, use, and performance of metals in electronics. The course is intended to provide students with a background in semiconducting or other electronic materials with specific knowledge about the application of metals in electronics as well as to allow students with a metallurgical background to learn about how their expertise fits into the electronics industry. Topics covered include electrical resistivity in thin metal and alloy films, deposition of thin metal films, metal/semiconductor contacts, interconnects in microelectronics, electromigration, diffusion barriers, electronic packaging, and metal/metal contacts. Grades are based on homework problems, a term paper, and class presentations. The course is offered in alternate fall semesters.
MATSE 567Additive Manufacturing of Metallic Materials3-4
This course will expose students to the state of the art in understanding processing, structure, and property relationships in materials fabricated using additive manufacturing (AM). There will be a strong focus on metallic alloys, but polymers, ceramics, and advanced materials will also be briefly discussed. The emphasis of the course will be on understanding the links between processing and the resulting structure, as well as the microstructure and the mechanics of the fabricated materials. Initially, we will discuss the types of AM and the feedstock materials required for these processes. We will then focus on metals, and discuss the energy sources used in AM (lasers, electron beams), and their interactions with the material. We will discuss the molten pool characteristics and the solidification microstructures. We will relate the microstructures seen in AM to the resulting mechanical properties (elastic deformation, plastic deformation, fracture, fatigue performance, and residual stress/distortion). Finally, we will discuss specific case studies for metals, polymers, ceramics, and advanced materials.
Preparation and characterization of solid catalytic materials and the relationships between their surface, defect, and electronic properties and catalytic activity. MATSE (EME) 570 Catalytic Materials (3)This course covers the preparation and characterization of solid catalytic materials, and the relationships between the surface and electronic properties and pore structure of the materials and their catalytic activity and selectivity. The course includes the following materials: zeolites and molecular sieves; metals and alloys; metal oxides; metal sulfides; and other catalytic materials. Also included are the major applications of catalytic materials in chemical and petroleum industries and in other manufacturing industries for environmental protection. This course can be grouped into three parts: (1) introduction to catalysis and analytical techniques; (2) synthesis and characterization of catalytic materials; and (3) catalysis at surfaces of solid materials. The course is suitable for a broad spectrum of students in energy and mineral engineering, materials science and engineering, fuel science, chemical engineering, chemistry, solid -state science, and environmental engineering.
The integration of fundamental principles and advanced computational approaches in the thermodynamics of materials, including hands-on computation, theory and application.
This course will focus on computational techniques and fundamentals of phase transformation simulations on the continuum, mesocale level. MATSE 581 Computational Materials Science II: Continuum, Mesocale Simulations (3)This course will focus on computational techniques and fundamentals of phase transformation simulations on the continuum, mesocale level. The objective of the course is to introduce the evolution of simulation techniques and integrate fundamental principles in thermodynamics and kinetics with advanced computational approaches. The teaching will be problem-oriented using literature publications. There will be many hands-on computer exercises to gain experience in presenting problems to computer and interpreting the computer results. This course is particularly useful for students who would like to explore the power of computational approaches and would like to understand the thermodynamic and kinetic principles behind computational phase transformations.
MATSE 602Supervised experience in college teaching1-3
Supervised assistance with the teaching program in metallurgy. MATSE 602 Supervised Experience/College Teaching (1-3) This course provides the opportunity for graduate students to learn college teaching by assisting a faculty member with an undergraduate or graduate course.
MATSE 801Foundations in Materials Science for the Professional Engineer3
Materials science is ubiquitous. All modern industry is highly dependent on materials whose properties can be controlled or engineered to accommodate a wide range of applications. The multidisciplinary field of materials science and engineering outlines approaches to enhance the manipulation of existing materials and synthesis of new materials. Further, the study of materials science and engineering provides the basis for understanding material properties with respect to chemistry and atomic structure and specifically the ability to tailor chemistry and structure in order to bring about specific properties (materials by design). Finally, an understanding of materials from a structure-processing-properties point of view allows for troubleshooting of modern manufacturing with respect to materials outcomes. Students will investigate why particular materials perform with specific properties while other materials do not. Students will then investigate how materials can be manipulated to perform actions that are typically not expected from a particular material. The previous two investigations will then allow students to begin to create materials by design to serve in specific industrial and environmental settings. All of these actions will be supported by the student's acquired knowledge of the role of fundamental chemistry, physics and math in describing, measuring, and predicting materials performance.
