0 or 3 credits
Fall 2025 Laboratory Lecture Upper Division
Material Surface Science is the study of properties that occurs at the interface of two phases. Surface phenomena needs to be addressed to understand and manipulate the behavior of particulate materials. Probing particulate surface properties at the nano- and micro-level helps to relate these to the macroscale powder performance. The main focus of this course is on the application of surface analytical techniques for assessing the physical and chemical factors that dictate particulate interactions in various food, pharmaceutical, biological, mineral, environmental (soil and water) and aerosol systems. This course will provide the student both a broad overview of the state-of-the-art analytical tools available to assess particulate surfaces and a fundamental insight into the characteristic behavior of system of particles. This course is unique because the student will learn and articulate how surface, physical, chemical and bulk properties are relevant in the performance of microparticulate systems of his/her interest.
Learning Outcomes1Identify the state-of-the-art surface characterization techniques to probe materials.
2Analyze data, interpret the results and hypothesize complex properties for surface characteristics and material interfaces.
3Assess surface and physicochemical properties of microparticulates associated with powder behavior.
4Articulate and propose relationships between surface properties (composition, interactions, functionality) and performance of various particulate systems.
Restrictions
made by Purdue students.