ENGR 1150/MSE 1150: Sustainable Materials Production and Recycling
Environmental, social, and governance considerations are essential to material sustainability. The first part of the course introduces the role of advanced materials in 21st-century society. The second part of the course discusses the environmental footprint of existing materials processes. The third part focuses on the strategies to process materials in a sustainable way, using select examples from metals, ceramics, polymers, and semiconductors. Basic materials concepts such as phase diagrams, phase transformations, and separations will be discussed. Students will participate in a design project culminating in a proposal on recycling non-sustainable materials or designing sustainable alternatives.
MSE 3040: Kinetics, Diffusion, and Phase Transformation
(Note: The course is now taught by Prof. Dshemuchadse)
Phenomenological and atomistic theories of diffusion in metals, alloys, ionic compounds, semiconductors, and polymers. Introduction to general transport theory and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Kinetic effects in solidification and solid state transformations that determine structure and properties of materials, including interfaces and microstructure; nucleation, growth, and coarsening; alloy solidification; and diffusional and diffusionless transformations in solids.
MSE 5740: Fundamentals and Applications of Electrochemistry
This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of electrochemistry in materials processing and energy storage. Topics include fundamental electrochemical equilibria and kinetics, electro-synthesis and electrochemical processing of materials, corrosion and degradation in aqueous and non-aqueous systems, and concepts of electrochemical energy storage, including examples from batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and photoelectrochemistry. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental governing principles and modern examples in literature. Analytical and diagnostic tools will be reviewed, including concepts of surface/interface spectroscopy and electrochemical characterizations.
MSE 6030: Statistical Thermodynamics of Materials
(Note: The course is now taught by Prof. Thompson)
This course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts of statistical thermodynamics in materials science and engineering. Topics include fundamental statistical thermodynamics concepts such as ensembles, partition functions, distribution functions, free energies, and applications in gases, vibrations, electrons, phase transitions, alloys, surfaces, and defects. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental governing principles and their applications to phenomena in materials.