Materials science exploiting large-scale facilities – MaMaSELF (MAT P3)

This lecture, delivered entirely in English, provides a basic introduction to crystallography and electron diffraction for beginners. X-ray diffraction is an important characterization technique in modern chemistry; the majority of crystalline structures in inorganic and organic solids have been solved using this method. It is therefore important for all students to understand its basic concepts and instrumentation. The course provides explanations and principles of X-ray diffraction together with the geometry and symmetry of X-ray patterns. In addition to the interaction principles of X-rays and matter, it covers how to obtain quantitative intensities for single crystal and powder diffraction patterns. It naturally includes an understanding of lattice planes and the reciprocal lattice concept together with the Ewald sphere construction. Furthermore, it provides a basic understanding of the Fourier transform relationship between the crystalline structure and the diffracted intensities, as well as the reciprocal lattice concept.

Electron diffraction is a complementary technique to X-rays that provides information in terms of symmetry and geometry on the materials studied. In this course, we will therefore approach the description of the method for obtaining electron diffraction patterns and their interpretation. We will be able to obtain the lattice parameters, the reflection conditions, as well as the groups of possible spaces.

This lecture also serves as the introductory part to the lecture Electron Microscopy and Crystallography II.

CM: 14

TD: 6

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This module is devoted to delivering basic knowledge on the thermodynamics of defects. Understanding the basic concepts of defects in stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric solids is an important aspect of better understanding and designing materials for ionic and electronic conductivity, with specific relevance for energy materials. The lecture introduces and discusses the nature of point defects that intrude upon the perfect geometry of ideal crystal structures:

• Introduction to point defects (missing or misplaced atoms, ions, or electrons)
• Discussion of thermodynamic concepts of order-disorder phenomena in solid solutions
• Understanding of Brouwer diagrams for oxides in order to emphasize the role of the surrounding atmosphere on defect equilibrium at high temperatures.
• Understanding of diffusion pathways and energies of ions and electrons, as a major consequence of point defects, giving rise to electrical transport is investigated for ionic conductors.
• Experimental investigations of measuring ionic conductivity versus temperature are described. The method of impedance spectroscopy measurements is discussed.
• Presentation of the Kröger-Vink Notation of defects
• Mott-Hubbard insulators

Hourly volumes:

CM: 24

TD: 12

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This module will be divided into 3 parts:

- General introduction: main classes of materials, relationship between properties and structure of materials

- Construction and interpretation of phase diagrams: binary (e.g., with metallic and ceramic alloys)

- Construction and interpretation of ternary phase diagrams: variance, ternary eutectic definitions, first and second order peritectic, isothermal section, study of alloy cooling.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 5 p.m.

Tutorial: 8 hours

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This course provides comprehensive knowledge and tools related to surface properties and interfacial behavior of crystalline and amorphous solids in different media. It consists of two parts: (1) Fundamentals of Colloid and Surface Science, divided and porous solids

(2) Surface characterization techniques and surface analysis

Hourly volumes:

CM: 5 p.m .

Tutorial: 8 hours

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The structural characterization of materials is a mandatory prerequisite for developing functional materials and an absolute must for materials science researchers and engineers. For the interpretation of diffraction patterns, structures, microstructures, etc., detailed knowledge of crystallography, structure analysis, and the instruments used is necessary. The necessary knowledge is developed from scratch, progressively yielding an understanding of how to characterize materials by standard and sophisticated diffraction methods. The lecture also includes lab work on powder and single crystal diffractometers, allowing students to acquire the skills to correctly use and interpret diffraction data. The lecture during the^first semester essentially covers X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, while the crystallography part continues during the^second semester with symmetry, structure solution, and structure refinements, as well as neutron scattering and magnetic structure analysis.

This lecture consists of two parts:

(1): Crystallography: Simple inorganic structures: basics & concepts, Fractional atomic coordinates and projections, Bravais lattices, Crystal systems, Lattice points, lines and planes, Miller indices, Zone equation, Wulff net, orienting matrix, Crystal growth and morphology, X-ray sources, interaction of X-rays, electrons and neutrons with matter, scattering lengths, structure factor, systematic extinctions, Debye-Waller factor, principles of scattering, reciprocal lattice, concept of Ewald sphere, Laue diffraction, Debye Scherrer camera, powder diffractometers, single crystal diffractometers, monochromators, detectors, resolution, stereographic projection, peak intensities, reflection profile broadening and grain size,

(2): Electron microscopy:

In this part, we will be interested in electron microscopy through flipped classes. We will discuss the following topics: Electron sources, lenses and aberrations, sample preparation, electron diffraction, structural and chemical analysis, imaging techniques.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 34

TD: 18

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This course consists of a series of different lectures in the field of synthesis and characterization of thin films for technological applications or academic research. It is completed by an introduction into synthesis techniques of compounds stabilized under high pressure or only available under special conditions.

1. Physics of Low-dimensional systems
2. Quantum confinement
3. Quantum wells, 1D quantum wires, 0D quantum dots
4. Electron confinement and Density of States (DoS) formalism
5. Epitaxial films
6. Microstructure
7. Dislocations and grain boundaries
8. Coatings and applications
9. Diffusion barriers
10. Photo optical devices
11. Vacuum technology
12. High-pressure synthesis

Synthesis of compounds with unusual valence and coordination states

Hourly volumes:

CM: 17

TD: 8

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Thermodynamic and kinetic bases to understand the optimal conditions for catalytic reactions and the requirement of activity and accessibility of catalysts.

Methods for the preparation of porous and dispersed catalysts by nucleation-growth, aggregation, and templating mechanisms.

Correlations between structural properties and activity of heterogeneous catalysts.

Examples of applications of heterogeneous catalysts to processes of refining and industrial chemistry.   

Further on, basic concepts of photocatalysis and electrocatalysis are explored.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 5 p.m .

Tutorial: 8 hours

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Wavefunction of an excited electron trapped in a cubic box: model for a quantum dot state

- Introduction to basic concepts in quantum physics and its relation to chemistry, modern materials science, and engineering of nanodevices.
- To achieve the goals of this course, a mathematically-rigorous approach is combined with the physical interpretation of the concepts, and the application of the most important QM models to electronic and magnetic spectroscopies and chemistry is illustrated.

Hourly volumes:

            CM (Readings):24 hours

            Tutorials: 12 hours

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This teaching unit is devoted to providing an introduction to the electronic properties in the solid state of bulk and/or nanomaterials, magnetic properties in transition metal oxides, etc. This unit is taught by different external teachers alternating with UM, and the topics may vary depending on the respective area of expertise of the teaching staff.

Students should become familiar not only with the electronic properties and ordering of materials, but also with ionic and mixed electronic ionic conductors, and materials for spintronics. Another aspect concerns their specific characterizations using neutron/synchrotron diffraction as well as complementary macroscopic characterization methods for magnetism, permeability, etc.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 30 hours

TD: 3 p.m.

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This module is devoted to an internship of at least three months in a research laboratory or industry.

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Preparation of the 3-month research internship, exploring the state of the art of the project, preparing optimal experimental conditions, and presenting it in front of a jury.

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This course provides a complete description of the structural, electronic, and vibrational properties of molecules, together with the quantum treatment of these properties in computer simulations.

In parallel, the structural and electronic properties of solids are addressed, with an emphasis on the properties of metals and semiconductors.

Hourly volumes:

            CM: 42 hours

            TD: 9 p.m.

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This lecture is the continuation of the crystallography lecture of the^1st semester and will give an advanced insight into structural characterization and structure refinements. It involves classical X-ray laboratory data collection and analysis, completed by synchrotron and neutron diffraction data analysis (powder and single crystal). The goal is to become familiar with the general principles of structure analysis, taking advantage of the complementarity of X-ray and neutron diffraction. The lecture provides detailed knowledge on how to understand and analyze phase transitions and how to deal with respective changes in the metric and associated data and structural transformations.

This lecture covers the following topics:

• Symmetry and space groups
• Introduction to structure refinement (single crystal and powder methods)
• Neutron and synchrotron facilities
• Magnetic structures with neutron diffraction
• Structure determination from single crystals (experiment and theory)
• Structure determination from powder diffraction data (experiment and theory)
• Applications of Fourier series for structure solution and refinements: from the Patterson Method to difference Fourier analysis
• Crystal twinning,
• Phase transitions
• Anomalous scattering and absolute structure determination

Hourly volumes:

CM: 30

TD: 15

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The structural characterization of materials is a mandatory prerequisite for developing functional materials and an absolute must for materials science researchers and engineers. For the interpretation of diffraction patterns, structures, microstructures, etc., detailed knowledge of crystallography, structure analysis, and the instruments used is necessary. The necessary knowledge is developed from scratch, progressively yielding an understanding of how to characterize materials by standard and sophisticated diffraction methods. The lecture also includes lab work on powder and single crystal diffractometers, allowing students to acquire the skills to correctly use and interpret diffraction data. The lecture during the^first semester essentially covers X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, while the crystallography part continues during the^second semester with symmetry, structure solution, and structure refinements, as well as neutron scattering and magnetic structure analysis.

This lecture consists of two parts:

(1): Crystallography:

This part is essentially dedicated to familiarizing students with structure analysis and its application. After a brief introduction to the reciprocal lattice concept and the use of space groups in crystallography, the lecture focuses on structure analysis by diffraction methods using powder and single crystal X-ray and neutron scattering methods. This involves understanding related techniques, i.e. the use of powder and single crystal diffractometers, as well as the techniques and programs used today for structure refinements. The concept of the lecture is to introduce a basic understanding of what is behind the programs, rather than to use them blindly. Students will also collect single crystal diffraction data on a high-performance 4-cycle diffractometer with a 2D area detector, as well as magnetic structure analysis using neutron diffraction methods.

Simple inorganic structures: Space groups, X-ray/neutron and synchrotron sources, interaction of X-rays, electrons and neutrons with matter, reciprocal lattice, concept of Ewald sphere, powder diffractometers, single crystal diffractometers, orienting matrix, Patterson method, structure refinement from powder or single crystal data, magnetic structure analysis, magnetic space groups,

(2): Electron microscopy:

In this part, we will be interested in electron microscopy through flipped classes. We will discuss the following topics: Electron sources, lenses and aberrations, sample preparation, electron diffraction, structural and chemical analysis, imaging techniques.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 33 hours

Tutorial: 6 p.m.

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This course provides comprehensive knowledge and tools related to surface properties and interfacial behavior of crystalline and amorphous solids in different media. It consists of two parts: (1) Fundamentals of Colloid and Surface Science, divided and porous solids

(2) Surface characterization techniques and surface analysis

Hourly volumes:

            CM: 5 p.m .

            Tutorial: 8 hours

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The objective is to provide second-year students with a solid introduction to the use of large-scale facilities for the study and characterization of materials. In particular, we focus on the use of neutron scattering and third-generation synchrotron sources for the study of materials. Indeed, to date, the development and optimization of materials often require sophisticated methods, sometimes accessible only at large-scale facilities. This presents a major challenge for basic and applied research. The courses, which take place over two consecutive weeks, provide basic instruction on the production of neutrons and synchrotron radiation, as well as their specific applications and complementarity. The course content is as follows:

- Neutron and synchrotron sources

- Interaction of neutrons/synchrotron radiation with matter

- Diffraction methods and instrumentation for neutron and X-ray (synchrotron) scattering

- Spectroscopy: inelastic neutron scattering and X-ray absorption spectroscopy

- Magnetic neutron scattering

- Presentation of neutron and synchrotron beamlines

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The aim of this module is to prepare the master's thesis project, which will last six months during S4.

The thesis project involves the use of large-scale facilities (preparation and obtaining access to beam time for neutron/synchrotron radiation). You will have to explore the state of the art of the master's thesis project and prepare optimal experimental conditions (optimization of experiments on light lines or neutrons).

This module will help to develop 'transversal' skills such as the development and organization of a scientific project (organization between universities and different EU research centers).

as well as communication skills.

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Thermodynamic and kinetic bases to understand the optimal conditions for catalytic reactions and the requirement of activity and accessibility of catalysts.

Methods for the preparation of porous and dispersed catalysts by nucleation-growth, aggregation, and templating mechanisms.

Correlations between structural properties and activity of heterogeneous catalysts.

Examples of applications of heterogeneous catalysts to processes of refining and industrial chemistry.   

Further on, basic concepts of photocatalysis and electrocatalysis are explored.

Hourly volumes:

CM: 5 p.m .

Tutorial: 8 hours

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The^fourth semester of the Master's program is entirely dedicated to the five-month (minimum) Master's thesis project in Materials Science. Students enroll in a research topic and contribute to a scientific problem within a research team. This allows them to apply acquired scientific skills and learn new ones in order to identify the problem and proceed toward a (possible) solution. The topic is analyzed and described in the written Master's thesis and presented orally in front of a jury. It should allow the candidate to demonstrate their ability to conduct scientific research and present it in an analytical manner.

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