| CODE | MTM3001 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Metamaterials and Related Materials | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Metamaterials | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Most high-tech applications require the usage of multi-functional materials, that have certain pre-defined properties. A class of materials which have attracted a lot of attention in the last few decades are materials with negative properties, such as materials with a negative refractive index, negative Poisson's ratios, negative thermal expansion and/or negative compressibility. This study-unit will be divided into two parts as follows: Section 1: Theories relating to the negative moduli/indices. Section 2: Geometries and deformation mechanisms. Section 1 will cover the theoretical background vis-a-vis the negative properties that will be studied. An introduction to the theory and mathematical descriptions of Poisson's ratios, Young's moduli, thermal expansion, compressibility and refractive index will be provided. In section 2, specific examples will be used to explain how and why negative moduli/indices arise. For instance in the case of negative Poisson's ratios, negative thermal expansion and negative compressibility, a number of geometries and deformation mechanisms will be illustrated, giving a rational explanation for these counter-intuitive effects. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims to introduce modern counter-intuitive materials that behave in a non-conventional manner. It also aims to give students a theoretical background on different moduli/indices that describe a material as well as explain how naturally occurring and man made materials/structures can have negative values for these moduli/indices. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe mathematically a number of moduli and indices (such as the Poisson's ratio, Young's moduli, thermal expansion coefficient, compressibility and refractive index) used to describe the mechanical and optical properties of a material; - Describe a number of geometries and deformation mechanisms which give rise to negative moduli/indices; - Relate how changes in these moduli/indices may bring about superior properties to such materials. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Seek and retrieve information online pertaining to his/her work; - Work in a group on a complex task; - Demonstrate organizational skills and time management skills. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Lecture notes (a book is currently in preparation). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Daphne Attard Ruben Gatt Joseph Noel Grima |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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