Functional materials

Functional materials are materials made for a specific purpose, such as mechanical, electronic, photonic, chemical, medicinal, or biological functions. The course covers crystalline and molecular materials as well as inorganic and organic compounds. Further, the course covers physical and chemical properties of materials and phenomena that arise from nanostructuring. Technical applications of functional materials are also discussed. The course covers the following categories of functional materials:<br> \- Photonic and electronic materials for the transmission of information<br> \- Traditional and new materials for information storage<br> \- Inorganic and organic materials for solar cells and new light sources<br> \- Materials for batteries<br> \- Biomaterials- Polymers<br> \- Surface active materials. The laboratory component of the course encompasses the manufacture of functional materials and structures, including nanoparticles, self-organised molecular monolayers patterned by soft lithography, and thin films of polymer blends. Instruction is in the form of lectures, seminars, and laboratory projects. Participation in seminars and projects is mandatory.