Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Engineering first degree or other equivalent qualification

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

• To provide students with a systematic understanding of the fundamentals in
1. Mechanical properties
2. Thermal properties
3. Electrical properties
4. Magnetic properties
5. Sustainability of materials.
• The course is designed to be of value to students who are considering a career in the design, manufacturing, and materials industry or any large industrial user that needs materials to work with.

Outline Of Syllabus

These topics will be emphasized from a materials perspective:
1. Mechanical properties: structure, elasticity
2. Thermal properties: heat capacity, thermal expansion/conductivity, thermal stresses
3. Electrical properties: conductivity, band structures, electron mobility
4. Magnetic properties: diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, superconductivity
5. Sustainability
The topics covered from 1-5 will visit case studies that deal with engineering applications involving design and processing. Some topics would attempt to touch on the issue of light-weighting and mechanical strength of materials and how they are affected by temperature, pressure, presence of chemicals, acidic and alkaline conditions, stress, compressive and tensile loading, irradiation, vibration, etc.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate:
1. Systematic knowledge and discuss of the properties of material for energy storage and sustainability.
2. Describe the science, technologies and benefits associated with the different material properties, with a general emphasis on broad applicability.
3. Describe the impact of the materials used on sustainability issues

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify situations where the material property could impact positively on the exploitation of renewable energy resources and evaluate the credibility of these.
2. Specify appropriate energy storage property for a particular context involving renewable energy resources
3. Analyse the factors that will impact on the design of a material associated with renewable energy exploitation.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Knowledge and understanding of materials at advanced level and issues associated with their applications will be taught via formal lectures and self-guided study. This will be supported by case studies to develop critical awareness and evaluative skills. Hands-on experience of open sourced materials selection apps would enable the students to become proficient in planning for materials to be used at work.

Subject specific, cognitive and communication skills will also be developed during the formal lectures and self-guided material. Time management and IT skills will largely be developed through the self-guided material.

The coursework will provide additional opportunities for the student to develop their skills and understanding of the application of materials for design and manufacturing for sustainability. Furthermore, the coursework will provide timely feedback prior to the examination assessment.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The unseen written examination will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the key aspects of the application of materials for design and manufacturing. The quizzes involves theoretical questions to assess the students’ progress.

Subject specific, critical and evaluative skills will also be assessed through the written examination. The other key skills will not be assessed, but students will need to utilise these in order to access the self-guided material and prepare for the exam.

General Notes

N/A