Nanoscale Surface Phenomena for Engineers

Surfaces are complex, dynamic molecular meeting places, where physical and chemical processes create a state of constant flux over a range of length scales. Real surfaces are complex, not flat, not uniform, and their finite but small width gives rise to large fluctuations, with dynamic processes driving the evolution of complex 3D structures from atomic- to macro- scales. Friction for example causes huge energy losses (23% of the global energy loss), with significant economic and environmental consequences. In the era of energy transition, hydrogen and other fuels will be vital to reduce the use of fossil fuels. However, hydrogen deteriorates the performance of current materials starting with a surface adsorption process, followed by absorption in the bulk of materials. Once hydrogen enters the material, it weakens its mechanical properties and puts at risk the structural performance of energy systems. This is specially relevant in metals and metal alloys.

This course deals with the nanoscale surface dynamic phenomena having implications for diverse disciplines with focus on real system functions: miniaturized electronics, biological surfaces, composite materials, or infrastructures. The main topics of study in this course are: adsorption, electrochemistry, surface transport, modelling methods, surface characterisation methods at nanoscale including spectroscopic and microscopic methods (like f.ex spectroscopy, AFM, QCM, XPS, FIB), nanotribology, lubrication and lubricants, surface chemistry, nanomechanics and the effect of hydrogen on the nanomechanical properties of metals.

Knowledge:

• Surface definitions and understanding of what a surface is
• acting surface forces/adhesion and surface roughness
• how surface and near subsurface characteristics influence the surface performance and the bulk material performance
• surface- and material-environment interaction
• surface dynamics (adsorption, diffusion, etc)
• theoretical understanding and modelling of surface phenomena.

Skills:

• Surface design
• understanding the different impact of surface scales for the actual performance
• select appropriate experimental techniques to study specific surface phenomena
• use the acquired knowledge to assess how a surface will behave in real systems
• learn how to use computational resources to model and understand surfaces
• decide on experimental techniques for surface characterization depending on the surface application and performance challenge
• based on surface characterization results find an optimization strategy for performance increase.

General competence:

• Evaluate limitations of common approximations in the field of surfaces and interfaces
• understand which nanoscale experimental techniques are suitable to study specific surface phenomena.

Lectures and four projects (in group or individual depending on the number of students). Oral presentation skills can be also an activity in the course as replacement for a project (that will be decided depending on the number of students taking the course).