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Introduction to Nanoscience & Nanotechnology - ELE00028C

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  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Steven Johnson
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

This module introduces you to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology with a particular focus on nanoelectronics, including solid state materials, electron transport in 3D, 2D and 1D electron devices, and approaches to fabricating and characterising nanometre scale electronics. Theoretical work is complemented by practical activities in the Departmental Cleanroom and Nanotechnology suites.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

Subject content aims:

To illustrate key concepts and applications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

across the scientific disciplines with an emphasis on Nanoelectronics

To understand the structure of solid, crystalline materials at the atomic level

To introduce key concepts that underpin charge transport in solids at the

macro­and nano­scale

To provide experience in good experimental design, execution of experimental

protocols and analysis of experimental data

Graduate skills aims:

To establish fundamental skills in gathering and presenting information from

reliable sources and technical writing, recognising issues of plagiarism and

collusion

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

Be able to define the nanoscale and the understand the use of Nanoscience and

Nanotechnology across the scientific disciplines with an emphasis on electronics

Understand atomic structure: Bohr’s model and from atoms to the solid state:

atomic bonding and the formation of molecules and crystalline solids

Understand electron transport in metals: Drude model and Hall effect

Understand basic band structure theory: band structure of metals, insulators and

semiconductors, n­type and p­type materials, Fermi­Dirac statistics

Understand charge transport in semiconductors (drift and diffusion) and basic

semiconductor hetero­and homo­junctions

Have an appreciation of charge transport in 2D, 1D and 0D structures, with a

focus on resonant tunnelling and single electron devices

Understand the basic operating principles of scanning probe microscopy: the STM

and AFM and their use for imaging, analysis and nano­fabrication

Understand basic soft condensed matter: inter­molecular interactions and

self­assembly

Have experience of working in a cleanroom environment

Understand good experimental design, safe execution of experimental protocols

and quantitative data analysis

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After successful completion of this module, students will:

Be able to construct basic technical reports and identify reliable sources of

information, recognising issues of plagiarism and collusion

Be able to communicate across disciplines

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Individual Report		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Individual Report		 N/A 100

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme.  We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments.

A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.  This can be found at https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/assessment-and-examination/guide-to-assessment/

The Department of Electronic Engineering aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme.  In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work.  Students are provided with their examination results within 20 working days of the end of any given examination period.  The Department will also endeavour to return all coursework feedback within 20 working days of the submission deadline.  The Department would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback.  The Department will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum.  Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate.  Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date. 

Indicative reading

Nanotechnology, Michael Wilson, K. Kannangara, M. Simmons, and B. Raguse.

Chapman & Hall/CRC

Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology, S. M. Sze, Wiley

Solid State Electronics Devices, B. G. Streetman, Prentice­Hall Int. Ed.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.