NANO 4312 - Chemical/Biochemical Principles of Nanoscience

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CHEM 1340 General Chemistry II, CHEM 2312 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, CHEM 3313 Biochemistry I Lecture and CHEM 3113 Biochemistry I Lab
This course introduces the chemical and biochemical principles of nanoscience to the students. The course aims at an introduction of Chemical principles involved in synthesis, assembly, and performance of nanostructured materials and devices. Chemical interactions, classical and statistical thermodynamics of small systems, diffusion, carbon-based nanomaterials, supramolecular chemistry, liquid crystals, colloid and polymer chemistry, lipid vesicles, surface modification, surface functionalization, catalysis. Principles of biochemistry tailored to nanotechnologies. The structure and function of biomolecules and their specific roles in molecular interactions and signal pathways. Detection methods at the micro and nano scales. Emphasis is placed on understanding the design and properties of hierarchical nanostructures that are utilized in advanced engineering applications, including catalysts for biomass conversion, carriers of drug delivery, inorganic membranes for gas separation, and catalysts for fuel cell and solar cell.

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe the important concepts of nanomaterials.
Explain the formation of nanoparticles and mesoporous materials.
Describe different self-assembly processes used in nanomaterials preparation.
Explain specific details about the nanochemistry of common nanomaterials and their properties.
Exemplify applications in chemistry, physics, bioscience and materials science where the nanostructure is of central importance.