(599c) An Elective on Nanomaterials Process Design

Overview: Nanomaterials Process Design is a new module (course), which was first taught in 2024 and is a dual-level course for final year UG students and MSc students in Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering. This module covers cutting-edge concepts and the latest information on advanced materials, more specifically nanomaterials with the main focus on the methods used to produce these nanomaterials both at lab- and commercial-scales. Challenges and methodologies for scaling-up and commercialising nanomaterials syntheses are covered.

Rationale: Despite an explosion in nanomaterials discovery, with many potential applications, commercial manufacturing of sustainable and scalable high-value nanomaterials remains elusive. This has resulted in very limited high-value nanomaterials being commercialised at scale. My research group has been addressing these challenges and this module is an effort to translate the outcomes of our research into teaching so that we can build a cohort of future scientists and engineers who can help nanomaterials achieve their potential impacts.

Teaching and engagement: The module involves front-loaded lectures, tutorials and a large coursework (70% marks). The lectures provide key information on the topic and highlights strategies to develop strategies to manufacture nanomaterials. The tutorials apply this information to two case studies and help students learn how to translate a nanomaterials synthesis into a process design. In the group-based coursework, the students select one emerging nanomaterials, develop its conceptual design for manufacturing and present this to the class as well as submit a short report. Having run this twice now, the student feedback is excellent across the board.