Atomic Force Microscopy Laboratory

PH 2510, Atomic Force Microscopy

Cat. II. Atomic force microscopes (AFMs) are instruments that allow three-dimensional imaging of surfaces with nanometer resolution and are important enabling tools for nanoscience and technology. The student who successfully completes this course will understand the functional principles of AFMs, be able to run one, and interpret the data that are collected. Recommended background: PH 1110 and 1120. Suggested background: PH 1130 and PH 1140. Link to poster.

The course has two main parts. The first half of the term emphasizes instrumentation, the second half interpretation. Each week, there are three one-hour lectures, one one-hour computer lab, and one two-hour instrument lab. Previous students have indicated that the course was not only helpful in their projects and research, but also in finding employment and securing admission to graduate school. You must pass the course in order to use the AFM in your future research in my laboratory. Auditors are welcome to sit in the lectures. However, they may not partake in the labs due to the high cost of supplies, the limited number of TAs, and licensing issues. Further development of the course has been in part supported by the Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education program of the National Science Foundation. Link to most recent syllabus. Link to YouTube lessons.

PH 597A, Atomic Force Microscopy

PH 597A is the graduate version of the course, taught over a semester. A bachelor's degree in science or engineering should be sufficient background. Link to most recent syllabus. Link to YouTube lessons.

PH 597N, Nanoscience Journal Club (one credit)

The course objectives are for graduate students to be exposed to recent nanoscience literature and to improve their skills in writing abstracts, giving presentations, and thinking critically. Students research a recent nanoscience topic unfamiliar to them, write an abstract synthesizing a small collection of peer-reviewed publications, present the topic, and respond to questions from fellow students and faculty.

Minor in Nanoscience

Although not yet part of WPI's official program, students may currently design an individual Minor in Nanoscience, which then must be approved by the Committee on Academic Operations. The timeframe for submission of a proposal to CAO is between successful completion of the third course and the beginning of the fifth course. The general requirements for Minors are described in the undergraduate catalog (p. 11 in the 2012-13 version). You may use this template as a starting point for your proposal. You must also pick up a form for an individually designed minor from the Registrar: it is not online. The program that is under consideration for official approval is:

MINOR IN NANOSCIENCE

Important to nanoscience are the studies of the structure and function of molecules, and the quantum and atomic properties of matter. Nanoscientists investigate fundamental aspects of the behavior of molecules, materials, devices, and living matter at length scales smaller than the wavelength of visible light. Synthesizing knowledge across disciplines greatly enhances progress in understanding nanoscale systems. A Minor in Nanoscience will benefit students who wish to enhance their disciplinary major with an additional degree designation in the area of Nanoscience.

The Minor in Nanoscience requires the completion of at least two units of course work in the topical areas described below^a:

1. Structure of Molecules.

At least one course (1/3 unit) in Chemistry at the 2000+ level, with the exception of CH 3530, Quantum Chemistry. Students with the appropriate background are encouraged to take CH 555-191M, Molecular Nanotechnology, or the equivalent.

2. Function of Molecules. At least one course (1/3 unit) selected from the following list:

BB 1035 Introduction to Biotechnology

BB 2550 Cell Biology

BB 2920 Genetics

3. Quantum Properties of Matter. At least one course (1/3 unit) selected from the following list:

CH 3530 Quantum Chemistry

PH 1130 Introduction to 20th Century Physics

PH 2501 or 2502 Photonics or Lasers

PH 3401 or 3402 Quantum Mechanics

4. Atomic Properties of Matter. At least one course (1/3 unit) selected from the following list:

ES 2001 Introduction to Material Science

ME 4875 Introduction to Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology

PH 3502 Solid State Physics

5. Nanoscale Characterization and Devices. (No minimum number of required courses.)

ME 3601 Principles of Mechanical Engineering (MEMS)

ME 535 MEMS and Nanotechnology

ME/CHE 2301 Nanobiotechnology Laboratory
PH 2510 Atomic Force Microscopy

6. Interdisciplinary Capstone Experience in Nanoscience (1/3 unit).

The capstone experience requirement for the Minor in Nanoscience must be satisfied by completing a 1/3-unit Independent Study/Project (IS/P)^b. The IS/P may, for example, take the form of a literature review or a laboratory experience. Or it may augment the MQP or IPQ, considering in-depth Nanoscience issues associated with the project topic^a. It must be of an interdisciplinary nature.

NOTES

a. In keeping with Institute-wide policy for minors, up to three courses may be double-counted for degree requirements, no course may be triple-counted, and the Major Qualifying Project (MQP) may not be counted toward activity for Minors.

b. The following faculty members in the "NanoX" Interest Group are all willing to serve as Nanoscience Capstone or IS/P advisors: Profs. Bergendahl, Billiar, Brown, Burnham, Camesano, Cyganski, Deskins, Furlong, Gatsonis, Lambert, Liang, Massoud, Pins, Pryputniewicz, Rahbar, Ram-Mohan, Thompson, Tuzel, Wen, Yagoobi, and Zhou.

nab@wpi.edu
Last modified: March 2013