Studying at York
Nanoscience experimental mini-project - ELE00066H
Module summary
This third-year module for MSci Nanoscience students will develop a range of practical laboratory skills in preparation for the extended MSci research project the following year.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
The purpose of this module is to develop a range of practical laboratory skills, expertise and experience in preparation for the extended MSci research project.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, a successful student will:
-
demonstrate good working practices in a nanotechnology related laboratory
-
be able to generate a standard operating procedure for a laboratory experiment
-
be able to demonstrate skills using the state-of-the art facilities to fabricate nanomaterials and nanodevices
-
develop a laboratory notebook with the appropriate level of record keeping
-
demonstrate engagement with relevant scientific literature
-
prepare an experimental report using a structure similar to the final project report
Module content
This module will be predominantly based in the nanotechnology teaching laboratories in the Electronics building. The students will work in pairs to undertake a single, relatively open-ended mini-project (see below for examples). Following a laboratory induction and a description of the experiment, the undertake the experimental work themselves, with support from the module coordinator. They will each keep a record of the experimental work in a laboratory notebook and each write a formal record of the experiment in a final report.
Possible topics for the mini-project include:
(a) Fabrication of nanoscale structures with self-assembly techniques
(b) Imaging the nanoscale structures with atomic force microscopy
(c) Fabrication of a GMR/TMR nanostructure
Assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Final experimental report |
N/A | 60 |
| Essay/coursework Laboratory notebook |
N/A | 40 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
The risk assessment must be submitted and approved before experimental work can begin.
It will not be possible to re-run the laboratory. Repeated laboratory sessions missed in the absence of exceptional circumstances may lead to a formal warning.
Reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework Final report including reflective self-assessment |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Practical sessions allow the students to engage with the module materials and receive feedback on their understanding.
Emails to the Module Coordinator with questions/comments will be answered as soon as possible.
The laboratory notebook and essay will be marked with written feedback.
Indicative reading
- “Nanotechnology” Michael Wilson, K. Kannangara, M. Simmons, and B. Raguse. Chapman & Hall/CRC, 2002. ISBN 1-58488-339-1.
- “Nanosphere lithography: A materials general fabrication process for periodic particle array surfaces ” John C. Hulteen and Richard P. Van Duyne, Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A 13, 1553 (1995); https://doi.org/10.1116/1.579726
- "Anisotropic magnetization reversal in 30 nm triangular FeNi dots", D. X. Niu, X. Zou, J. Wu, and Y. B. Xu, Applied Physics Letters 94, 072501 (2009).