Materials Chemistry

In this course we will examine how chemists design materials with targeted optical, electronic, or mechanical performance. We will explore the chemical principles that connect synthesis and processing to structure and function in modern materials, with applications ranging from computer chips to lasers and other optoelectronic devices. We will investigate polymers, composites, semiconductors, nanomaterials, and metals, emphasizing how composition and microstructure shape macroscopic behavior. Along the way, we will develop working knowledge of widely used characterization techniques such as scanning probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and surface spectroscopy. (CHEM 0203 or CHEM 0211 or CHEM 0231)