NWNR002362 Metallic and hybrid nanomaterials: From synthesis to applications (in Eng.)

Art
prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
Semesterstunden
2
Vortragende/r (Mitwirkende/r)
Toca-Herrera, José Luis
Organisation
Biophysik
Angeboten im Semester
Wintersemester 2026/27
Unterrichts-/ Lehrsprachen
Englisch
Lehrinhalt

The course will have 15 topics:

1. Nanoscale basics – Size comparisons, surface‑to‑volume effects, adsorption, colloidal stability.

2. Nanoparticle synthesis – Chemical routes, nucleation, growth, size and monodispersity control.

3. Characterisation – Size, distribution, surface chemistry; limits of DLS, UV–Vis, EM.

4. Silver nanoparticles – Synthesis, dissolution, ion release, antiviral properties.

5. Gold nanoparticles – Protein corona, enzyme immobilisation, biomedical uses.

6. Phase transfer & nanocomposites – Transfer between media, non‑aqueous colloids, polymer composites.

7. Metallic nanorods – Controlled synthesis, stability, plasmonics, sensing applications.

8. Silver nanowires – Scalable synthesis, electrical properties, transparent conductors.

9. Superhydrophobic surfaces – Lotus effect, hierarchical structures, anti‑icing coatings.

10. Core–shell nanostructures – Metal/oxide systems, tunable optical and catalytic functions.

11. Photocatalytic TiO₂ coatings – Fabrication, activity, self‑cleaning and antimicrobial textiles.

12. Nanocellulose – CNC, CNF, BNC; properties and applications.

13. Nanosafety & regulation – Toxicology, risk assessment, EU projects, SSbD.

14. EUV lithography – Top‑down fabrication, sub‑10‑nm patterning, relevance for AI hardware.

15. Course summary - Review, open questions, final written exam.
Inhaltliche Voraussetzungen (erwartete Kenntnisse)

Basic knowledge of Physics, Chemistry and Bio(techno)logy
Lehrziel

After completing the course, students are able to:
Explain the key physical and chemical phenomena that occur at the nanoscale and describe how they influence the behaviors of metallic and hybrid nanomaterials.
Select and compare methods of nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation, recognising the advantages and limitations of each technique (e.g. DLS, UV–Vis, electron microscopy).
Analyse the relationship between the structure, surface chemistry and functionality of metallic nanoparticles, nanorods and nanowires, and interpret their optical, electrical and catalytic properties.
Design basic concepts for applying nanomaterials in biophysical and biomedical contexts (e.g. antiviral and antibacterial materials, biosensing, photocatalytic textiles, superhydrophobic and anti-icing coatings).
Assess the potential risks, safety issues and regulatory aspects related to the use of engineered nanomaterials, following the principles of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design.
Discuss the interconnections between bottom-up and top-down nanofabrication approaches, including the role of advanced semiconductor technologies (EUV lithography) in enabling modern nanoscience and AI-assisted research.

Competences Acquired
Knowledge
Students acquire an understanding of nanoscale physical and chemical phenomena, the main classes of metallic and hybrid nanomaterials, their synthesis and characterisation methods, as well as the principles of nanosafety and current regulatory frameworks (including Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design concepts).
Skills
Students are able to select appropriate synthesis and characterisation techniques for a given nanomaterial, critically interpret experimental data (including recognising artefacts and limitations), and design simple application concepts for nanomaterials in biophysics and biomedical engineering (e.g. coatings, sensors, functional textiles).
Competence
Students develop the competence to critically evaluate the benefits and risks of nanomaterial-based technologies, to discuss their societal and technological implications.
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