Basic materials science

Abstract

This lecture covers basic aspects of materials science. The classification of materials and atomic bonding is briefly reviewed first. Crystal structures are then discussed with particular attention to those pertaining to metals, semiconductors and ceramics. With the miniaturization of integrated circuits in the sub-micron level, the emergence of nanotechnology and increasing possibilities in computational materials science; relevant quantum mechanical notions dealing with atoms, atomic bonds and crystal structures will be introduced. A discussion of crystal defects will then lead to an understanding of the origin of the mechanical, electronic, thermal and optical properties of metals, semiconductors and ceramics. Issues like how atomic bonding can affect the thermal and mechanical properties of matter, manipulating the conductivity of materials via point defects, mechanical strengthening mechanisms via defect generation (e.g., alloying, strain hardening and precipitation hardening), surface cleaning practices via defects (gettering), determining whether materials are semi-conducting or not, energy band structures of different types of materials, interaction of matter and radiation, characterization of intrinsic and extrinsic defects, differentiating between tensile, hardness and impact tests are discussed at an introductory level.