AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is the introduction to instrumental analysis specific to physical chemistry for the study of materials. Knowledge will be acquired from a theoretical point of view and practical skills in the preparation and analysis of samples as well as in the interpretation of the results obtained.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The class aims to provide students with an overview of physico-chemical investigation techniques for material characterization. Its objective is to elucidate the theory under the various techniques in order to understand their application to material analysis, the practical skills required to carry out such analyses depending on the nature of the samples, and the ability to critically interpret the resulting data.

By the end of the course, students will have developed a solid understanding of instrumental physico-chemical analysis methods; they will have learned the theoretical principles underlying the different techniques and cultivated a critical awareness of their strengths and limitations with respect to various types of materials. Students will thus understand the analytical strategies employed in material characterization, gain familiarity with the use of the described techniques, and acquire practical skills in data processing and interpretation.

TEACHING METHODS

The class consists of in person lessons (16 hours) and laboratory sessions (26 hours), divided among the teachers.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The various investigative techniques will first be introduced from a theoretical perspective. Subsequently, the laboratory experiences will focus on the use of instrumentation for material analysis.

The techniques and materials covered during the course include:

• Crystalline materials: Fundamentals of crystallography, analysis by powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD), data analysis and interpretation.
• Magnetic materials: Magnetic measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy.
• Elemental analysis through X-ray fluorescence (XRF).
• Luminescent materials: UV-Vis analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and color analysis.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The lecture notes showed during the class will be available in Aulaweb. 

The reference text is the following:

• Engineering Materials Science. Properties, Uses, Degradation, Remediation. H. McArthur, D Spalding, 2004, Woodhead Publishing

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

See https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11634/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consists in the submission of a personal laboratory notebook and of group reports, plus an oral examination lasting at least 30 minutes in the presence of at least two faculty members from the relevant scientific-disciplinary field.

The personal laboratory notebook must include a detailed account of all experimental and computational activities carried out in the laboratory. It must be written individually by each student.

Group reports should summarize the experiences carried out by the group and should be written in collaboration. For each experience the report should contain a general introduction, a description of the procedure used and comments on the results.

The laboratory notebook and the group reports must be submitted to the teachers within two weeks after the end of the semester.

For students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), please refer to the Additional Information section.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment consists in a discussion of the laboratory notebook and reports, and an oral examination, during which questions will be asked on topics covered in the lectures.

The evaluation of the achievement of the learning objectives will aim to verify:
a) the students’ acquisition of the theoretical knowledge underlying the various characterization techniques;
b) their ability to navigate the subject matter logically, including through appropriate connections between different topics;
c) their ability to critically analyze the limitations and potential of the investigative techniques in relation to the materials studied, including by comparing different methods;
d) the acquisition of practical skills necessary for the application of the techniques used and for the processing and interpretation of the results.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Compensatory and dispensatory measures Disability/Invalidity/Specific Learning Disorder

Dispensatory measures and compensatory tools are intended to enable students to achieve the same learning objectives as their fellow students, not to facilitate the examination.

The use of compensatory tools and the application of dispensatory measures must be authorised in advance by the teacher in agreement with the Referee.

To take advantage of the adaptations during the examination, fill in the Adaptation request form; the request will be automatically sent by the system to the teacher in charge of the teaching, to the Contact Person of your School/Area/Department and in copy to the Sector; you will also receive a copy of the request sent by e-mail.

The adjustments available to students are as follows:

• Additional time (+30% DSA)
• Additional time (+50% disability/invalidity)
• Additional time during oral exams to organise the answer
• Calculator (programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed)
• Conceptual Maps
• Tables and/or Forms
• Take the exam in written form
• Take the exam in oral form
• Tutor reader (for written tests only)
• Tutor-writer (for written tests only)

Your request for adaptations must be submitted at least 7 working days before the scheduled exam date.

All information for students with disabilities and DSA is available on the webpage: Services for students with disabilities or DSA | UniGe | University of Genoa

Reference for inclusion: Sergio Di Domizio - sergio.didomizio@unige.it