Information
| Unit | |
| Code | SD0832 |
| Name | JOURNEY TO THE NANO-WORLD: SEEING THE UNSEEN |
| Term | 2026-2027 Academic Year |
| Term | Fall and Spring |
| Duration (T+A) | 2-0 (T-A) (17 Week) |
| ECTS | 3 ECTS |
| National Credit | 2 National Credit |
| Teaching Language | Türkçe |
| Level | Üniversite Dersi |
| Label | UCC University Common Course |
| Mode of study | Yüz Yüze Öğretim |
| Catalog Information Coordinator | Öğr. Gör. HALİL EŞGİN |
| Course Instructor |
Öğr. Gör. HALİL EŞGİN
(Güz)
(A Group)
(Ins. in Charge)
Öğr. Gör. HALİL EŞGİN (Güz) (B Group) (Ins. in Charge) |
Course Goal / Objective
The objective of this course is to introduce students from non-field disciplines to the micro- and nano-scale world and to enable them to grasp the fundamental working principles of modern characterization techniques used to investigate the invisible structure of matter. Within the scope of the course, contemporary applications of advanced microscopy and analytical methods in daily life, nature-inspired technological solutions, next-generation electronics, and industrial R&D processes are addressed. Adopting a visual and technology-oriented approach free from complex formulas, the course aims to enhance students' scientific literacy and scientific vision.
Course Content
This course covers the concept of scale extending from the macro-world to the nano-world, the historical development of microscopy technologies, and examples of nanotechnology in nature. The fundamental operational principles of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) techniques are introduced through real-life examples without delving into complex mathematical formulations. Furthermore, the significance of crystalline and amorphous structures in modern instrumentation, next-generation materials, digital data analysis, and the multidisciplinary industrial applications of characterization methods are discussed.
Course Precondition
Resources
Cullity, B. D., & Stock, S. R. Elements of X-Ray Diffraction. Prentice Hall. Suryanarayana, C., & Norton, M. G. X-Ray Diffraction: A Practical Approach. Springer. Goldstein, J., et al. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis. Springer. Binnig, G., Quate, C. F., & Gerber, C. Atomic Force Microscope. Physical Review Letters. Bhushan, B. Springer Handbook of Nanotechnology. Springer.
Notes
Current scientific articles, and latest application notes from device manufacturers (e.g., JEOL, Thermo Fisher, Bruker).
Course Learning Outcomes
| Order | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| LO01 | Defines the differences between the micro and nano scales and relates them to daily life. |
| LO02 | Explains the fundamental differences between optical microscopes and electron microscopes (SEM). |
| LO03 | Interpret the nanostructures underlying natural biological specimens at a microscopic level. |
| LO04 | Establish correlations between the macroscopic properties of everyday objects and their microstructural surface morphologies under electron microscopy. |
| LO05 | Distinguishes between crystalline and amorphous structures of matter and understands the effect of these structures on material properties. |
| LO06 | Expresses the basic properties of X-rays and their principles of interaction with matter. |
| LO07 | Explains the phenomenon of diffraction in crystal structures. |
| LO08 | Identifies material phases using XRD analysis data. |
| LO09 | Interprets the working principle of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) based on the principle of contact. |
| LO10 | Understands the importance of next-generation materials such as graphene and quantum dots in current technologies. |
| LO11 | Explains the role of micro/nano characterization in energy storage systems and battery technologies. |
| LO12 | Explains the application areas of micro/nano characterization methods in biomedical applications, drug delivery systems, and health technologies. |
| LO13 | Analyzes the multidisciplinary role of advanced characterization techniques in different scientific disciplines and industrial R&D processes. |
| LO14 | Examines the social, environmental, and ethical dimensions of scientific and technological advancements. |
Week Plan
| Week | Topic | Preparation | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Journey from macro to nano: Scale perception and seeing the invisible | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap, Tartışma |
| 2 | Overcoming optical limits: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap, Tartışma |
| 3 | Microstructure and surface solutions in nature | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap, Tartışma |
| 4 | Morphological analysis of everyday materials with electron microscopy (SEM) | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap, Tartışma |
| 5 | Internal structure of solid materials: Crystalline and amorphous materials | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Tartışma, Anlatım |
| 6 | Basic properties of X-rays and the concept of wavelength | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım |
| 7 | X-ray diffraction in materials | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım |
| 8 | Mid-Term Exam | Ölçme Yöntemleri: Yazılı Sınav |
|
| 9 | Crystal structure analysis with X-ray Diffraction (XRD) method | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap |
| 10 | Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and topographic mapping | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım |
| 11 | Next-generation materials and sustainability | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap |
| 12 | Micro and nano structures in energy technologies | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Anlatım, Soru-Cevap |
| 13 | Micro/Nano structures in Biomedical and Health Technologies | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Anlatım |
| 14 | Interdisciplinary use of characterization methods and industrial applications | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Tartışma, Anlatım |
| 15 | Technological developments Environmental dimensions: Nano-waste and scientific ethics | Reading the course content, preliminary research online. | Öğretim Yöntemleri: Soru-Cevap, Tartışma, Anlatım |
| 16 | Term Exams | Term Exams | Ölçme Yöntemleri: Ödev |
| 17 | Term Exams | Term Exams | Ölçme Yöntemleri: Yazılı Sınav |
Student Workload - ECTS
| Works | Number | Time (Hour) | Workload (Hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Related Works | |||
| Class Time (Exam weeks are excluded) | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| Out of Class Study (Preliminary Work, Practice) | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| Assesment Related Works | |||
| Homeworks, Projects, Others | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mid-term Exams (Written, Oral, etc.) | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Final Exam | 1 | 16 | 16 |
| Total Workload (Hour) | 80 | ||
| Total Workload / 25 (h) | 3,20 | ||
| ECTS | 3 ECTS | ||