Doctoral courses

Course code: FTN0044
Credits: 5

When: The course is given every 2-3 years. Next course is planned to be during 2023.

General course objective/s and learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide students with a deep understanding of how biomaterial-biological system interactions are investigated in vitro and in vivo along a biomaterial development process. The course will also give an insight into legislation, ethics and commercialization aspects of biomedical materials.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

• Explain the principles of protein-biomaterial interactions as well as the methods commonly used to characterize such interactions.
• Account for in vitro models used to assess blood-biomaterial interactions and the parameters to be evaluated.
• Explain and compare different in vitro methods commonly used to evaluate cell-biomaterial interactions.
• Identify the design parameters for the in vivo evaluation of biomaterials, taking into consideration ethical issues.
• Select in vitro and in vivo tests/studies to evaluate the biocompatibility of a biomaterial towards a specific application.

Course contents

The course consists on 13 two-hour (45min x 2) sessions. The students also work on a case study project that is presented at the end of the course.

The content of the course is the following:

• Basics about cells and biomaterials
• Protein-biomaterial interactions
• Blood-biomaterial interactions
• 2D and 3D models to characterize biomaterials in vitro
• Single cell analysis using droplets & microfluidic systems to characterize biomaterials in vitro
• Evaluation of biocompatibility
• Animal testing
• Legislation and ethics
• Planning research towards commercialization.

Instruction

In general, each lecture session is divided in 45 min lecture + 45 min interactive activities (seminar/discussion/work in groups). This is done to ensure the students engage in their own learning process.

Assessment (form of examination)

The examination is divided in three parts: 30% assignments + 40% individual project + 30% active participation in seminars and activities. Attendance to 80% of the lectures is required.

Recommended prerequisites

Master’s level or equivalent (e.g. Civilingenjör), with specialization in materials engineering, biotechnology, chemistry, biology or in another appropriate discipline. Experience in biomaterials and cell culture would be advantageous.

Contact persons (course responsible teachers)

Gemma Mestres; Gemma.Mestres@angstrom.uu.se
Natalia Ferraz; natalia.ferraz@angstrom.uu.se

Credits: 5

When: The course is planned for period 4, Spring 2024.

Prerequisites

Differential calculus, linear algebra, basic programming.

Assessment

Assignment (project work in small groups)

Instruction

Lectures, lessons (programming).

Course objectives/learning outcomes

This course presents nonlinear and coupled problems in continuum mechanics for solid bodies and fluids. By starting with the balance equations the so-called weak form is generated for various problems from mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism. Solutions for engineering problems are computed by using finite element method in space and finite difference method in time. All constitutive equations are going to be derived by using thermodynamical principles. The emphasis of this course is on a theoretical understanding of problems in continuum mechanics and their computations by applied mathematics. The best learning occurs by doing, hence, all problems are going to be computed by using open-source packages from FEniCS.

After the course the student should be able to:

• Motivate and derive governing equations in engineering problems
• Develop a computational code for multiphysics simulations
• Numerically solve a system of coupled and nonlinear equations

Course contents

12 lectures per 90 min + 2 world cafes (group assignment to show their results)

• Introduction to Python and FEniCS (editor, docker, Paraview)
• Linear and nonlinear elasticity, rheology in solids
• Flow of linear and nonlinear fluids
• Thermodynamics in viscous fluid and viscoelastic solid
• Electric conduction and polarized rigid body
• Balance equations with electromagnetic interaction
• Piezoelectric transducer

Contact

In case you have questions about the course, please contact B. Emek Abali:
b.emek.abali@angstrom.uu.se

Literature

B. E. Abali. Computational Reality. Solving Nonlinear and Coupled Problems in Continuum Mechanics. Springer Nature, Singapore, 2017.

Code: FTN0298
Credits: 5

Course material

• Lecture notes available at the course page.
• Gross D, Seelig T (2011) Fracture Mechanics: With an Introduction to Micromechanics. Springer. (Available in e-version at Uppsala library)

Learning outcome

• Identify and describe various fracture and damage mechanisms in materials
• Explain how a crack affects a structure and describe the stress and strain state that occurs in front of a crack in different materials
• Apply different methods to calculate crack driving forces in linear and nonlinear materials and formulate suitable fracture conditions for stationary and growing fractures in these materials
• Investigate whether a crack will grow stable or unstable
• Describe and explain the theoretical background for linear and nonlinear fracture mechanics
• Analyse fracture problems for both linear and nonlinear materials subject to increasing loads
  

Course content

• Elements of continuum mechanics for solids
• From classical strength hypotheses towards modern fracture mechanics
• Linear fracture mechanics
• Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics
• Dynamic fracture mechanics
• Micromechanics
• Damage mechanics
• Variational approach for fracture mechanics (PI)
• Computational & Experimental Fracture Mechanics (HY & RA)
• Computer & Experimental Lab (HY & RA)
• Seminar
• Guest lectures (industry)

Course schedule

Lecture, exercise, computer and experimental lab, student seminars, and industry guest lecture sessions are scheduled for this course. See separate document for the schedule of the course.

Assessment

The assessment of the course is based on the following:

• A final written examination 4 hp: The grades include Fail (U), 3 (Pass), 4 (Some Distinction), or 5 (Distinction).
• Computer and experimental lab report 0.5 hp: More details will be provided in the course page. The grades include U (fail) and G (pass).
• Seminar 0.5 hp: Each student will present an assigned scientific article addressing fracture mechanics. The article will be selected considering the study program/thesis subject of the students. The grades include U (fail) and G (pass).

For passing the course, the “Computer and experimental lab report” and “seminar” are to be passed. The final written examination determines the course grade.

Feedback

You are always welcome to share with us your suggestions to improve the course.

Teachers

Mahmoud Mousavi, Per Isaksson, Reza Afshar, Haiyang Yu
Course responsible: Mahmoud Mousavi, mahmoud.mousavi@angstrom.uu.se

Credit: 4

This course is open to all doctoral students at the faculty.

Information about the course on the Faculty of Science and Technology's site

Contact persons

Mahmoud Mousavi (course responsible), mahmoud.mousavi@angstrom.uu.se
Malin Wohlert, malin.wohlert@angstrom.uu.se

Code: FTN0178
Credits: 5

Contact person

Natalia Martin, Natalia.Martin@angstrom.uu.se

Course information

Credits: 5
Code: FTN0032
Language of instruction: English
Course period: Period 4, 2027
Campus teaching or online teaching: On Campus

Recommended prerequisites

Basic level knowledge in optics and solid state physics. Feel free to attend the introductory lecture if you are unsure whether the course is right for you or if you just need to refresh your knowledge.

Learning outcomes

• To understand the origins of optical properties of materials, and to learn how to mathematically model these properties.
• To learn and apply basic theoretical concepts for the optics of thin films.
• To learn and apply several experimental techniques for optical characterization of thin films. To develop scientific communication skills and a critical mindset through seminar discussions and hand-ins.
  

Learning outcomes for doctoral degree

Knowledge and Understanding: Students will learn a useful topic in an area of relevance for their study subject. The course span all the way from basic theory to experimental methods.

Competence and Skills: Practical skill development with the techniques is an important part of the course, and is gained through 4 lab sessions. Communication skills are also practiced, in 4 seminars. Critical thinking and the identification of knowledge gaps is stimulated by student formulated questions and discussion points for the seminars, and by the active participation in the seminar discussions.

Course contents

The course starts with an optional introductory lecture (L0) where we discuss (and perhaps repeat) some useful concepts in optics and solid state physics.

Then, the first four regular lectures of the course will address:
L1. Optical properties of materials
L2. Optical and electronic properties from calculations
L3. Thin film optics
L4. Effective medium theory

Each of L1-L4 is connected to a 2 h seminar, where more in-depth material related to the lecture content is discussed.

The course continues with four lectures targeting experimental techniques:
L5. Basics of spectroscopic ellipsometry
L6. Spectroscopic ellipsometry analysis
L7. Measurement and analysis by spectrophotometry
L8. Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy

Lecture 5-8 are applied in two measurement labs and two computer labs.

Instruction

The course moves from lectures, over seminars based on in-depth reading assignments, to computer based and practical lab work with hand-in reports. In this way, students will gradually acquire the skills required to apply the knowledge to relevant problems in thin film optics in the lab, and to analyze and interpret the results.

Assessment

Active participation in the seminars (through submission of questions on the reading material beforehand, and through active participation in discussions on their fellow student's questions during the seminar). Written reports on the 4 labs.

Course examiner

Carl Hägglund, carl.hagglund@angstrom.uu.se

Department with main responsibility

Materials science and engineering

Contact person

Carl Hägglund, carl.hagglund@angstrom.uu.se

Application

Submit the application: carl.hagglund@angstrom.uu.se
Submit the application not later than: April 8, 2027

Credits: 10

Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (G)
Established: 2020-09-23 (Revised by: The Faculty Board of Science and Technology)
Entry requirements: 120 credits with Solid State Physics, admitted as a PhD student.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should know and be able to use different experimental methods and theoretical models for electron structures, lattice vibrations, transport and magnetism in solid materials and be able to evaluate the applicability and limitations of the models and apply them to interpret experimental results.

Content

Building blocks of crystals: Bravais lattices, crystal structure, reciprocal lattice, Brillouin zones. Diffraction: Theory and experimental methods. Lattice dynamics: Phonons, density of states, and specific heat. Electron theory: Free electron model, elementary band theory, tight-binding, density functional theory methods to calculate band structure, electronic quasiparticles, classical waves in isotropic and heterogeneous media, interaction of quasiparticles, electrical- and thermal conductivity. Magnetism: Theory and experimental methods including spin ordering, spin dynamics, and nanomagnetism.

Instructions

Lectures (including guest lectures), case studies and laboratory work.

Examination

In connection with the course, assignments with problems and computational problems are given. The course is completed with an oral examination, which together with the assignments determines the grading.

Reading list

Marder, Michael P. Condensed matter physics, 2 nd Ed., New York: Wiley - Blackwell, 2010.

Kittel, introduction to Solid State Physics,8 th Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2004.

Contact (responsible teacher)

Tomas Edvinsson, tomas.edvinsson@angstrom.uu.se

Code: FTN0026
Credit: 5

Information about the course on the Faculty of Science and Technology's site

Contact person

Klaus Leifer, klaus.leifer@angstrom.uu.se

Code: FTN0385
Credits: 1.5

Code: FTN0386
Credits: 3

Information about the course on the Faculty of Science and Technology's site

Contact persons

Sofia Johansson (sofia.m.johansson@angstrom.uu.se) and
Hannah Pohlit (hannah.pohlit@farmaci.uu.se)