Course content

The course consists of modules of lectures and practical training performed in the clean room at NTNU Nanolab and includes:

• HES course
• scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
• Photolithography
• Microfluidics
• Particle synthesis
• Particle characterization
• Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
• Spectroscopy

Learning outcome

After completion of the course the students should have:

Knowledge about health, environment and safety aspects (HES) related to work in a clean room and nanotechnology research. Knowledge about experimental techniques and instrumentation to be used in the practical work in the clean room in NTNU Nanolab. The principles and process for lithography. How to make microfluidic channels. Knowledge about the characteristics of microfluidics and applications of microchannels/microfluidics, especially how to make nanoparticles. Principles for experimental techniques such scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Interactions between light and material, especially light scattering. Principles for methods such as dynamic light scattering and particle tracking. Principles for spectroscopy including Beer Lambert law.

Skills: The practical work and accomplished skills are a major part of the course. The students should be familiar with and have good skills working independently in a clean room. They should know and control working with various experimental techniques and instruments in the clean room such as Lithography and production of microfluidic channels. Use the microfluidic channels to make nanoparticles. Characterizing nanoparticles by SEM, AFM, spectroscopy, and determine particle size distribution by particle tracking.

The students will be trained before they can use the instrumentation and work independently and in groups.

General competence: Develop general competence within analysis, critical assessment and written presentation of results obtained by their activity in their course. Be able to write an extensive laboratory report using the format for a scientific article. Develop good collaborative skills by working in groups with 2-3 other students. Obtain general competence in health, environment and safety.

Learning methods and activities

Training will be given as modules at NTNU NanoLab. Each module will contain a theoretical and a practical session. The practical training include training in the clean room the use of selected equipment and experimental techniques, like SEM, particle size analyses, atomic force microscopy, lithographic techniques and microfluidics. For most of the experimental techniques listed above, there will be given a theoretical lecture. A laboratory report should be written. Teaching will be in English if students on international master programs are attending the course. As all the laboratory activities and most of the lectures in the course are mandatory, it will be necessary for the students to participate in the teaching activities from the first week of lectures. Even though the formal sign-up date for the course is the same as for all other courses, it will not be possible to pass the course if one has not participated from the first week of lectures. All students are also encouraged to sign up prior to the start of the semester since that will greatly ease the work of organizing the lab groups.

Recommended previous knowledge

Completed courses in the study programme for Nanotechnology, within the study plan for Bionanotechnology, or equivalent. Students enrolled in other study programs may also be admitted to the course in cases where these students will need access to NTNU NanoLab for their Specialization project or Master thesis

Required previous knowledge

Completed course TFY4330 Nanotools (or equivalent), TFE4167 Micro-and nanofabrication (or equivalent) and TFY4335 Bionanoscience (or equivalent). The course is a part of the curriculum for Nanotechnology study program, specialization Bionanotechnology. Student enrolled in other programs can be admitted depending on capacity and based on qualifications.

Course materials

Research articles. To be announced at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions