Nanotechnology Engineering

1. Elements of fluid physics: Hamilton equations and statistical mechanics. Macroscopic mass, momentum and energy density. Balance equation for macroscopic quantities. The structure of liquids. 2. Fluids described as continua: The complete system of equation of fluid dynamics. Irreversibility in fluid motions. Constitutive relationships and rheology. 3. Parameters controlling micro-confined flows: Dimensional analysis, Reynolds, Mach and Knudsen number. Applications to flow devices. 4. Flows of liquids: Elementary solutions in micro-channels. Slippage at solid walls and slip length. 5. The Stokes equations: Flow on a moving sphere and the drag. Green's function method. 6. Numerical methods, finite volumes discretization and projection methods. 7. Micropropulsion basics and micro-swimmers. 8. Surface tension: Wettability. Thermocapillary flows. Microbubbles and acoustic response. Electro-wetting. Super-hydrophobic surfaces, Cassie and Wenzel states. 9. Brownian motion: Introduction to Brownian motion and transport of colloidal particles. Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations. 10. Thin films and membranes: Balance of mass, momentum and energy for membranes. Models of biological membraned. 11. Complex fluid rheology: Viscoelasticity and rheology of polymeric solutions. 12. Linear response theory. Diffusion coefficients and viscosity from molecular simulations. 13. Fabrication techniques for micro-fluidic devices.

Good knowledge of calculus and basic understanding of ordinary and partial differential equations. Good understanding of mechanics, basic physics, thermodynamics and elements of statistical mechanics.

1. Micro/Nanofluidics, Lecture notes by the teacher. 2. Microflow and Nanoflow, G. Karniadakis, A. Beskok, N. Aluru, Springer. 3. Introduction to Microfluidics, P. Tabeling, S. Chen, Cambridge University.

The corse is mainly taught through lessons delivered to the class. Almost one fourth of the course is spent by the student in laboratory classes where he/she learns basic elements of microfluidic device fabrication, of the experimental techniques for their characterization and the related techniques of numerical simulation.

Although not mandatory, attendance to class lecture is warmly encouraged.

The final evaluation consists in a written exam to be completed in 3 hours followed by an oral discussion typically taking place the following day. The written exam consists of a series of open questions (typically four) concerning the different prats of the program illustrated during the lectures. Each answer is evaluated with a mark ranging from 1 to 10 and the final score is obtained by averaging the partial marks and rescaling in the range 1 to 30. The following oral discussion is focused on the answers given by the student in the written exam with additional questions concerning laboratory lectures and subjects autonomously elaborated by the student. The exam is illustrated and discussed with the students twice: in the introductory lecture of the course and at the end of the semester. The exam aims at evaluating knowledge and skills acquired by the student along the lines described in the “training goals” (obiettivi formativi). In particular: comprehension of concepts and analysis techniques illustrated in the class; capability of autonomous learning; capability of critical assessment of problems in micro-nanofluidics; communication skills and ability in synthesizing complex issues.

The corse is mainly taught through lessons delivered to the class. Almost one fourth of the course is spent by the student in laboratory classes where he/she learns basic elements of microfluidic device fabrication, of the experimental techniques for their characterization and the related techniques of numerical simulation.