Materials Characterization Techniques

Code:

L.EMAT019

Acronym:

TCM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Science and Technology of Materials

Instance: 2021/2022 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Materials Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.EMAT	34	Syllabus	2	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The objective of this curricular unit is to present and describe concepts about the various forms of characterization of materials, at morphological, structural, and chemical levels. The basic knowledge of each technique includes knowledge about instrumentation, preparation of samples, and the applicability of these techniques to provide the essential bases for the application in the characterization of the materials being studied. The acquisition of this knowledge will allow the identification and the distinction of the applicability of each characterization technique to associate, relate, and select the characterization techniques of the study material. The student group will aim not only to acquire greater competency in communication strategies but also to provide an opportunity to select, research and present a technique of characterization of materials that can be applied to real situations.

Learning outcomes and competences

-Develop skills and knowledge on basic concepts of materials characterization techniques.
-Develop skills to select the best techniques to materials characterization taking into account the needs and means at their disposal.
-Select, researches and present a technique for characterization of advanced materials that can be applied to situation of real case studies.
-Develop team work and communication skills (oral and written).

Working method

Presencial

Program

Description of various techniques of microscopy and spectroscopy in the characterization of materials. The methods that are addressed in this curricular unit are:

1-      Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Basic concepts. The basic constitution of the equipment. Presentation of the main results obtained by these techniques. Methods of sample preparation.

2-     Microanalysis of X-rays (EDS / WDS).

3-      Scanning Probe microscopy -  Scanning Tunneling and Atomic Force Microscopy (STM / AFM) - General principles of operation of the two techniques and applications.

4-     Introduction to electron and ion spectroscopy in surface analysis - Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). Application examples.

5-     Chemical analysis by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy  (AAS). Preparation of the samples and determination of the calibration curve. Treatment of results.

Mandatory literature

A. R. Clarke, C. N. Eberhardt; Microscopy techniques for materials science. ISBN: 159124613X

Teaching methods and learning activities

A group works will be done in class a presentation to the audience should focus on the following points: motivation for the research, description of the characterization techniques, selection of the characterization technique according to the objective understudy, interpretation of results and treatment of results obtained for each technique of characterization approached.

The demonstration sessions aim to relate and establish the knowledge acquired in the theoretical sessions with the observation of the characterization techniques in real use.

keywords

Technological sciences > Engineering
Technological sciences > Engineering > Materials engineering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	70,00
Trabalho escrito	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	40,00
Estudo autónomo	66,00
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Trabalho escrito	35,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students will be admitted to exams if:
- they achieve a minimum grade of 9.5 in the tests

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Grade = reports (30%) + exam (70%)

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The evaluation will be done by exam (70%) and a monograph (30%).

Classification improvement

Students can improve their grades of the tests by attending an extra exam, which will be a 2 hour long closed book exam. Students have to enrol before the deadline.

Observations

Classes will be given in English, if students do not master the Portuguese language.