School of Electronics and Computer Science:
ELEC1001 Materials
Basic Information
| School | Sect- Electrical Engineering |
|---|---|
| Known as | ELEC1001. |
| Session and Semester | Semester Two, 2011 - 2012 |
| Credit | 10 Credit Points |
| Unit Leader | Dr George Chen |
| Teachers | Dr Nicolas G Green |
| Moderators | Dr Mihai Rotaru |
| Study | 25 hours |
| Assessment | 85% Examination, 15% Coursework |
| Coursework | Lab Reports 2 |
| Teaching | Lectures 24, Labs 2, Supervisions 5 |
| Referral | On referral, this unit will be assessed by examination, with the original coursework mark being carried forward (this policy is only suitable where students have had an opportunity to redeem coursework failure during the main academic year). |
| Syllabus Approved |
Description
Aims
This unit is designed to introduce the basic structure of electrical materials and to lead to an understanding of electrical phenomena on materials with a focus on electrical conduction in semiconductors and metals, and polarisation mechanisms in dielectrics. The magnetic response of solids is also explained to give students a full picture.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
The student will be able to:
- understand charge behaviour in different materials
- classify the materials based on energy band theory
- select proper materials for different applications
Intellectual Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
Able to describe how electrical charge moves through through different materials, and appreciate the importance of choice of materials in engineering applications.
Practical Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
Be able to specify the appropriate choice of material in electrical suytems.
General Transferable (key) Skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:
Be able to communicate and interact constructively with a person skilled in the art.
Topics Covered
- Charge behaviour in conducting materials (6):
- Braggs law of diffraction
- electron as a wave
- electron gas approximation
- electron drift and calculation of drift velocity
- dependence of resistivity on temperature.
- Charge behaviour in insulating materials (6):
- Charge storage in dielectrics
- simple capacitor
- Coulombs law
- complex permittivity
- electric flux density
- electrostatic potential
- polarisation mechanisms
- electrets
- forming methods
- applications, including microphones and particle filters.
- Charge behaviour in semiconducting materials (6):
- bonding and conductivity
- conduction and holes
- Hall effect
- use of the Hall effect for determination of n or p property
- energy band models
- crystal fabrication techniques
- device fabrication techniques
- pn junction
- bipolar transistor
- JFET and MOSFET
- Magnetic materials (6):
- Diamagnetism
- Paramagnetism
- Ferromagnetism.
Teaching and learning activities
Teaching methods include
Formal lectures, laboratory classes and group supervision.
Learning activities include
Lecture demonstrations. Formal lectures supported by laboratory practical classes. Small group supervisions.
Methods of assessment
| Assessment method | Number | % contribution to final mark |
|---|---|---|
| Written Examination [exam] | 1 | 85 |
| Laboratory Practical [labs] | 2 | 15 |
Feedback and student support during module study
Through supervision monitoring and marks allocated to laboratory reports.
Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the planned learning outcomes
Laboraory classes planned to demonstrate practical applications of material taught in lectures.
Resources
Background Resources
- Anderson J C, Lever K D, Alexander J M & Rawlings R D, Materials Science, 4th Edition, Chapman & Hall 1990
- Kasap S O, Principles of Electrical Engineering Materials and Devices, McGraw-Hill 1997
- Parker G J, Introductory Semiconductor Device Physics,Institute of Physics Publishing Sept 2004 [Library] [Shops]
Taught to
ELEC1001
Pt I BEng Electrical Engineering (Compulsory)Pt I MEng Electrical Engineering (Compulsory)
Pt I BEng Electromechanical Engineering (Compulsory)
Pt I MEng Electromechanical Engineering (Compulsory)
ECS Socrates Students (Optional)
Students who are not registered on an ECS approved programme may take this module subject to meeting its pre-requisites and the availability of resources. To confirm this, please can you contact the module leader (as listed above) in the first instance. They will then refer you on to the appropriate director of studies for formal approval of your selection.