MTE6881 · Applied crystallography in advanced materials characterisation

Overview

The scattering of different types of radiation from crystalline materials gives fundamental insight into materials properties at various length scales, beginning with atomic structure and culminating in interatomic bonding. The unit will be taught as a series of modules covering essential knowledge in each area of diffraction (X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, and neutron diffraction), including a solid coverage of crystallography and how it is applied in all of the characterisation techniques that reside within each of these areas of diffraction. The unit explores the complementarity of the different techniques and radiations through strategically aligned laboratory classes. The data collected in each lab session, from different experiments and instruments, will be combined throughout the course of the unit with the aim of solving a real materials science problem that is of current interest or a hot topic. Approximately 50% of this unit is based on the flipped classroom, and data analysis from laboratory sessions will be carried out in workshop-style sessions using the knowledge and instruction gained from the online modules.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 60% Final assessment: 40% Final grades: PGO (pass grade only) or NGO (fail) This unit contains hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NGO).

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. perform ultra-high resolution materials structure analysis using a combination of diffraction techniques
2. use high-performance computing clusters to run large materials analysis computations in parallel
3. use crystallography as both a tool and philosophy in materials characterisation
4. combine information from different techniques to answer complex research questions and address complex materials characterisation problems
5. write technical research papers that address current materials characterisation problems and combine results from a variety of diffraction techniques
6. apply combinations of modelling, simulation and quantitative data analysis for the extraction of meaningful information about the probed materials.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.