course-details-portlet

FY8203 - Soft Condensed Matter

About

Lessons are not given in the academic year 2016/2017

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Portfolio assessment
Grade: Passed/Failed

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Hjemmeeksamen 80/100 2 dager
Rapport 20/100

Course content

The course is given every other year, next time spring 2018. The physics of soft condensed matter involves materials that are easily deformable by externally applied stresses, by electric or magnetic fields, or simply by thermal fluctuations, The “level of description” for such complex materials typically starts at the nano scale, i.e. at scales much larger than atomic or molecular scales, and the structure and dynamics at the nano scale determine macroscopic physical properties at the human scale. One overall goal of research into this growing field of science is thus to probe and understand the relationship between nano scale and macro scale physics. The materials under study include both natural, synthetic and biological materials, and the broad range of research interests range from fundamental physics to technological applications, from basic materials questions to problems related to oil and gas technology cosmetics, household products, agriculture, food, design of nanostructured materials or surfaces, biological systems and materials, etc.
The following general and popularized literature may be recommended as background:
0) wikipedia
1) http://folk.ntnu.no/fossumj
2) http://www.softmatterworld.org/

Learning outcome

The student is expected to obtain a theoretical understanding of the physics of soft condensed matter, from nanoparticles and interactions on the nanoscale to soft materials dynamics and stability on the macro scale. Further, obtain a theoretical and partly practical insight into parts of some experimental techniques that are relevant for studies of soft material physics, like for example microscopy, scattering techniques (light, X-ray. neutron), rheometry and special purpose table-top" eksperiments.

Learning methods and activities

Guided self study, lectures given by the course professors and by invited international experts, colloquia given by students, groupwork than can be laboratory based, written home exam.

Compulsory assignments

  • Study groups by students

Required previous knowledge

General basic physics: Classical physics, mechanics including fluidmechanics, electromagnetism, statistical physics

Course materials

The course material will be decided well before semester start, and will in addition to recently published scientific papers, be collected from for example:
http://www.softmatterworld.org/
"Soft Matter Physics", Masao Doi, Ocford University Press 2014
"Fundamentals of Soft Matter Science", Linda S. Hirst, CRC Press 2012
"Intermolecular and Surface Forces: With Applications to Colloidal and Biological Systems" J. Israelachvili, Revised 3rd ed. Academic Press 2011
"Structured Fluids: Polymers, Colloids, Surfactants", Thomas A. Witten, Oxford University Press, 2004
"Soft Matter Physics: An Introduction" M. Kleman and O.D. Lavrentovich, Springer Verlag 2003
"Statistical Thermodynamics of Surfaces, Interfaces, and Membranes" , Samuel A. Safran, Westview Press, 2003
"Soft Condensed Matter", R.A.L. Jones, Oxford University Press Inc. 2002
"Introduction to Soft Matter: Polymers, Colloids, Amphiphiles and Liquid Crystals" I.W. Hamley, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2000
"Principles of Condensed Matter Physics", P. M. Chaikin and T. C. Lubensky, Cambrdge Universty Press, 2000
”Sands, Powders and Grains: An Introduction to the Physics of Granular Materials”, J. Duran, Springer Verlag 2000
"The Structure and Rheology of Complex Fluids" Ronald G. Larson, Oxford University Press 1999

More on the course
Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Doctoral degree level

Coursework

No

Language of instruction: English, Norwegian

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Subject area(s)
  • Biophysics
  • Biology
  • Energy- and Environmental Physics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry and processing
  • Kondenserte mediers fysikk
  • Materials Science and Solid State Physics
  • Solid State Physics
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Applied Mechanics - Fluid Mechanics
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Polymer Physics
  • Thermodynamics
Contact information

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Physics

Examination

Examination arrangement: Portfolio assessment

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Spring ORD Hjemme-eksamen 80/100
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Rapport 20/100
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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