coursemapLoading course
Research School of Chemistry · ANU College of Science and Medicine
Soft materials are ubiquitous in our modern daily lives. From the plastic packaging used in the food industry to new lightweight materials for aeronautics, soft matter research is changing the way we live, work and play. The physical principles of soft matter also underpin our understanding of natural materials, such proteins. This course will provide an introduction to soft materials and their structure. Topics covered will include colloids and interfaces, nanoparticles, polymer science, and their applications. Students will be exposed to various methods of soft materials synthesis and have the opportunity to make such materials in the laboratory. An emphasis is played on how synthesis affects the resulting physical and chemical properties of materials such as polymers. An important component of this course will cover how such materials are characterised The course will cover the three key methods used to study this class of materials: microscopy, scattering and spectroscopy. The properties of some technologically important functional materials will be highlighted throughout this course. Note: This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Mid-semester exam
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 5
Lab reports (hurdle)
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Final exam
Learning outcomes 2, 4, 5
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including: - Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures per week plus 6 laboratories, each four hours in length throughout the semester. - Approximately 70 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks. Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions. Other Information A pass in the prescribed laboratory work is required in order to gain a pass in CHEM6213.
George Odian, Principles of Polymerization, 4th Edition, Wiley, 2004; Bradley D. Fahlman, Materials Chemistry, 2nd Edition, Springer, 2011.