Theory of Nanomaterials

Introduction to properties and applications of nanoscale materials, with emphasis on understanding of basic principles that distinguish nanostructures (with feature size below 100 nm) from more common microstructured materials. Explanation of new phenomena that emerge only in very small systems, using simple concepts from quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. Topics include structure and electronic properties of quantum dots, wires, nanotubes, and multilayers, self-assembly on surfaces and in liquid solutions, mechanical properties of nanostructured metamaterials, molecular electronics, spin-based electronics, and proposed realizations of quantum computing. Discussion of current and future directions of this rapidly growing field using examples from modern scientific literature.

Letter grading.