Module manager: Professor G Jose
Email: g.jose@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module will provide a fundamental understanding of the relationship between materials properties and their microstructure. It will give the necessary background to understand the design of suitable microstructures to give desired properties across the full range of materials classes.
The objectives of this module are to:
- apply a quantitative treatment to the properties of materials, and their origin;
- provide the scientific basis for the relationship between materials properties and their microstructure;
- give students the necessary background to understand the design of suitable microstructures to give desired functional properties across the full range of materials classes.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
- To apply and analyse the relationships between the materials structure and its functional properties in applications and services for further analysing 'sustainability and durability of materials in a lifecycle'.
- To relate the functional performance in service environment with the improvement or degradation of a materials physical, chemical, and mechanical performance. For example, changes in the structural load bearing properties of steel in wet and dry environments. Effect of phase transformation on the mechanical (elastic/plastic) properties of rubber.
- To acquire skills in the basis of elastic-to-plastic reversibility and irreversibility (based on conservation of momentum and energy) which can be applied for describing materials deformation, light scattering in transparent medium and memory/data storage in magnetic devices and electronic devices.
- To relate the theory of elasticity and plasticity of metals, ceramics, glass, and polymers with the respective stress-strain diagrams, and the analysis of energy needed to reach failure point for materials selection in different service environments.
- To distinguish the microscopic mechanism of materials failure, based on dislocation theory in crystalline materials (metals, alloys, and ceramics) and deformation/shear band theory in non-crystalline and complex composite materials.
- To acquire experimental skills in the characterisations of exemplar physical, optical, chemical, degradation, and mechanical properties of functional materials used in our society.
- Understand the influence of composition and structure on the physical and thermal behaviour of materials by applying classical and quantum mechanical approaches for characterising the semiconductor, metallic conductor, 2D/3D materials, ceramics, and glasses.
- To understand the charge and mass transport phenomena in metallic, semiconductor, and inorganic materials for charge transport and energy storage, materials degradation and failure. Analysis of thermodynamic and kinetic barriers and defects in such materials.
- To learn the importance of data analysis for adopting Machine Learning tools for validating prediction with measured data.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
a. Technical skills (theoretical, modelling and practical, analysis using computational tools e.g. ML).
b. Information skills (materials, properties and applications).
c. Design skills (design principles of materials for application).
Introduction and Multiscale Structure: Hierarchical structure in materials, Structure-property-processing-performance (SPPP) paradigm, Atomic and Electronic Structure.
Quantum mechanics and bonding: Band structure and density of states, Computational tools (DFT, MD simulations).
Crystallography and Defects: Symmetry, space groups, and crystallographic notation, Point, line, and planar defects, Defect energetics and diffusion.
Electrical and Magnetic Properties: Charge transport, metals, semiconductors, and superconductors, magnetism and magnetic materials, Spintronics and multiferroics.
Thermal and Optical Properties: Thermal conductivity, specific heat capacities and phonon scattering, Optical absorption, emission, and photonic materials, Thermoelectrics and plasmonics.
Mechanical Properties and Deformation Mechanisms: Elasticity, plasticity, and fracture, Dislocation theory and strengthening mechanisms, Fatigue, creep, and failure analysis, Ductile to brittle transition.
Chemical thermodynamics and equilibrium analysis: Eh-pH diagram and Ellingham diagram.
Materials Design and Selection based on Microstructure and Phase Transformations:
Grain structure, interfaces, and texture; Nucleation and growth mechanisms, TTT and CCT diagrams based on ferrous alloys (Iron, steel, and alloy steels, phase diagram, microstructures, oxidation resistance and corrosion), Ashby maps and performance indices, Materials genome and high-throughput screening, Examples in aerospace, biomedical, and energy materials.
Reactive metals and alloys: Al-alloys, composites, and titanium alloys (use of Ashby Map).
Polymers, Glasses, and Amorphous Materials (Use of Ashby Map): Chain structure, crosslinking, and Tg, Structure-property in glasses and metallic glasses, Viscoelasticity and time-temperature superposition; Corrosion reactions in Glass and durability.
Semiconductor Materials (Use of Ashby Map): Silicon and germanium semiconductors and their oxidation behaviour and applications.
Composites and Hybrid Materials (Use of Ashby Map): Fiber-reinforced and particulate composites, Interface engineering and toughening mechanisms, Bioinspired and multifunctional material.
Practical and Case Study
Practical: Microstructure analysis, mechanical testing, spectroscopic, electrical and thermal measurements analysis.
Case Study: Design a material for a specific application using structure-property principles and use of simulation tools for materials design.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminars | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Practicals | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Lecture | 15 | 2 | 30 |
| Independent online learning hours | 8 | ||
| Private study hours | 94 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 48 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Performance in formative tutorial and practical classes and in formative quizzes integrated into online learning resources. Performance in summative tests and feedback on the laboratory book assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Case Study | Report and viva/presentation | 50 |
| In-course MCQ | Class Test | 25 |
| Report | Laboratory Work | 25 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
The Laboratory Book resit will employ digital experiments and a dataset rather than requiring the candidate to carry out experimental work.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 15/07/2025
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