FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL, MATERIALS &

METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING

Study guide for:

BEng (Materials & Metallurgical Engineering):

Introduction to Nanotechnology

MMEE 415

Compiled by Professor Abdulkareem Ambali Saka and

COURSE BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Nanotechnology is an emerging interdisciplinary field of research involving diverse
expertise in engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, and
information processing. Globally, activities in nanotechnology are growing rapidly, driven
by strong interest and investments from commercial and public sectors these have
already seen short-term returns in areas ranging from drug delivery, waste and portable
water purification, high performance materials for engineering infrastructure, biomedical
and alternative energy development which are the key ingredients of sustainable
development goals. The purpose of this course is to enable the students understand and
apply nanoscience and nanotechnology concepts and methods. It will also provide the
students with basic knowledge of scientific innovation that combines academic
excellence with innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to research.

Introduction to Nanotechnology therefore, provides a broad overview of

nanotechnology, discussing the fundamental science of nanotechnology and its
applications to engineering, biomedical, and environmental fields. We will discuss the
interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology and how the different basic sciences merge
to create the field. The course will provides a background of the understanding,
motivation, implementation, impact, future, and implications of nanotechnology. The
course will also discuss specific applications of nanotechnology in electronic devices,
biomedical fields, environmental solutions, and energy production.

The aim of this course is to convey a general appreciation of nanoscience and

nanotechnology fundamentals. This is suitable in understanding current applications
of nanotechnology, and in learning about prospects in this field.

Course Goal
 The course goal is to discuss interesting emerging nanotechnologies by
providing interdisciplinary scientific and engineering knowledge necessary to
understand fundamental physical differences at the nanoscale.

Course Objectives
 After successful completion of the course, students will be able to describe and
explain the concept of nanotechnology and nanomaterials.
 Students will learn about exciting applications of nanotechnology at the leading
edge of scientific research.
 Students will gain an appreciation of synthesis, processing and manufacturing
processes of nanocomponents and nanosystems.
 Students will provide an understanding of characterization and measurements
of nanostructure properties

It is therefore essential that you as the student participate continuously either in groups
or individually to be successful and competent at the end of this course. The modules
 BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

in this subject will be an integral part of all your other activities. It will contribute to
your achieving the specified outcomes or final competencies related to the Bachelor
of Engineering: Materials & Metallurgical Engineering.
Also note that all course materials and any special communication will be delivered
via Blackboard.

Students are encouraged to contribute to the effective teaching of this course by giving
constant feedback on how the course material is presented in the lectures and in the
notes. Remember we are all in the process of learning!!

COURSE OUTLINE

TOPIC Description Lecture

Introduction to  Definition of Nanotechnology L1 & L2
Nanotechnology  Nanomaterials and properties
 Nanotechnology applications/products
 Possible future applications of
nanotechnology

Societal Implications of  The impact that nanotechnology will L3

Nanotechnology have on society.
 Social and ethical issues in
nanotechnology
Fabrication Methods  Top-Down processing methods L4
Chemical Synthesis and  Bottom-Up processing methods
Modification of  Surface Modifications
Nanomaterial
 Chemistry and Chemical Modification
 Synthesis and Chemical Modification of
Nanomaterials
 Template Synthesis
Characterization Methods  Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) L5
(Structure determination 1:  Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Microscopy)  Transmission Electron Microscopy
(TEM)
Characterization  XRD L6
Techniques of  SEM
Nanomaterials  TEM
 XPS (etc)

Application of  Water treatment L7

Nanotechnology  Agricultural and Food diagnostics
 BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

(Nanoporous polymers and  Engineering material

their applications  Health
Nano thermodynamics  Thermodynamics and Nano L8
thermodynamics
 Classical Equilibrium Thermodynamics
Deformation behavior of  Physical properties of nanomaterials L9
nanomaterials.  Mechanical behavior of Nano materials
Fracture and creep. and their respective tests.
Nanomechanics and  Tribological performance of
nanotribology. nanomaterials

LABORATORY SESSIONS

There is no Laboratory session for this module. However, there will be two case study
report submissions instead.

DULY PERFORMED REQUIREMENTS

The test and examinations questions are set in such a way that, unless fundamental
principles stated in learning outcome are understood, the student will not pass the
course. Emphasis is placed on application of principles and analysis. Students are
advised that this course requires consistent reading and completion of the practice
questions and assignments.

The following Table outlines the assessment components.

ASSESSMENT WEIGHT DATE VENUE

(Semester
Mark)
TEST 1 10%
TEST 2 10%
Starts: To be
Quizzes and 5%
advised
Assignments
Case Studies & 15%
Presentations
EXAM 60%
TOTAL 100%

An exam will be written at the end of the course in the normal way.
 BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

It is at the lecturer’s discretion to modify the mark breakdown at anytime during the
semester.

Missing tests and absenteeism

No sick tests or make-up tests will be written. Missing a test for whatever reason, will
greatly affect your final coursework mark, as it will be at the lecturer’s discretion to
determine how your final marks will be computed.

Practical

The practical component of this course is compulsory. The marks for practical will be
incorporated into your year mark. Furthermore, you may be examined on aspects
covered in the practical that may not be covered in your lectures. You will be required
to be in full PPE when conducting lab.

REQUIREMENTS

a. Textbooks
A large number of materials can be used as reading material for this course. However,
the prescribed text books are:
1. Hornyak, G., Tibbals, H., Dutta, J., Moore, J. (2009). Introduction to
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Boca Raton: CRC Press,
https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420047806
2. Chattopadhyay, K & Banerjee, Arghya. (2009). INTRODUCTION TO
NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY.

b. Notes
Notes will be made available in advance for each section of the module and will form
the basis for the lecture. Notes will only be distributed electronically, via Blackboard.

c. Scientific calculator
A non-programmable scientific calculator is required for the classwork, tests and
examination.

COURSE DELIVERY
This course will be delivered by means of weekly lectures and tutorials. The content
of each module will be covered first, thereafter the tutorials. Tutorials will involve
solving a number of problems based on the material covered in the lecture.
Students are required to come prepared (i.e. with calculators, other required material
and read the course notes for the tutorial sessions) in order to benefit from the
exercise.
Late coming for lectures and tutorials is not appreciated as this disturbs other
learners.

TIMETABLE
 BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4th Year Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

0800-0850 MMEE 415 Tutorial

BLK 108/043
0900-0950
1000-1050 MMEE 415 LAB
1100-1150 BLK 121 LAB 4
1200-1250 (Mr. Leso & Mr. Gaogane)
1300-1350

1400-1450 MMEE 415 LEC

1500-1550 BLK 122/001-002
(Dr. Oladijo/Mr
Phiri)
1600-1650

CONTACT DETAILS
Lectures & tutorials Prof. Abdulkareem Ambali Saka: abdulkareems@biust.ac.bw
Mr R Phiri: phirir@biust.ac.bw