Unit CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOMATERIALS AND NANOMATERIALS WITH LABORATORY

CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOMATERIALS AND NANOMATERIALS

Code	A004609
CFU	6
Teacher	Igor Neri
Teachers	Igor Neri
Hours	42 ore - Igor Neri
Learning activities	Caratterizzante
Area	Tecnologie dei processi chimici
Sector	FIS/03
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	In this course, various analysis techniques suitable for the characterization of biomaterials and nanomaterials will be presented, with particular emphasis on microscopy techniques.
Reference texts	Fondamenti di Fisica – James S. Walker - Pearson A Practical Guide to Optical Microscopy by John Girkin, PUBLISHER: Taylor & Francis Group – Available in university electronic resources (link) Lecture Notes provided by the instructor
Educational objectives	The course aims to introduce students to the use of widely applied characterization techniques relevant to their professional career paths. The teaching objective is to provide the theoretical foundations of optical and electron microscopy techniques. Additionally, an introduction to the physical principles underlying the description of solids will be given to understand the operating principles of X-ray diffraction techniques and vibrational spectroscopy.
Prerequisites	To follow the lectures successfully, it is advisable to have acquired the knowledge provided by the courses in Elements of Mathematics and Physics and Elements of Chemistry.
Teaching methods	The course consists of frontal lectures covering all the topics in the syllabus. The lectures will be alternated with practical activities conducted during the associated Laboratory course.
Other information	For information on support services for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities (DSA), visit the page http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa.
Learning verification modality	The assessment of learning is conducted through an oral exam, consisting of a discussion lasting about 30 minutes. The exam aims to ascertain the level of knowledge reached and the communicative ability using technical-scientific language appropriate to the topics covered. Both theoretical-fundamental and experimental topics concerning the various analysis methods indicated in the syllabus will be addressed. The final grade will be determined by the Commission on a scale of thirty.
Extended program	Electromagnetic fields and waves. Introduction to the polarization of matter. Refractive index. Absorption. Elements of geometrical optics. Refraction and reflection. Snell's laws. Critical angle. Lenses and mirrors. Optical systems: eye, microscope. Elements of physical optics: Coherent waves. Young's experiment. Interference and diffraction. Introduction to spectral analysis. Elements of the structure of matter. Atoms and molecules. Crystalline and amorphous solids. Crystal lattice and X-ray diffraction. Bragg's law. Crystal vibrations. Normal modes of vibration. Vibrational spectroscopy.

LABORATORY OF PHYSICS OF BIOMATERIALS AND NANOMATERIALS

Code	A004756
CFU	3
Teacher	Alessandro Di Michele
Teachers	Alessandro Di Michele
Hours	36 ore - Alessandro Di Michele
Learning activities	Altro
Area	Altre conoscenze utili per l'inserimento nel mondo del lavoro
Sector	NN
Type of study-unit	Obbligatorio (Required)
Language of instruction	Italian
Contents	an introduction to the main techniques for characterising nanomaterials and biomaterials
Educational objectives	Acquiring proficiency in various characterization techniques
Learning verification modality	Laboratory experiments
Extended program	FE-SEM Scanning Electron Microscopy (high and low voltage analysis): study of the morphology of nanomaterials and biomaterials. Low voltages (<1kV) will also be used to preserve the structural integrity of sensitive samples. EDX Analysis: a technique coupled with SEM that provides information on the elemental chemical composition of materials during microscopic observation. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM, HR-TEM, and STEM): study of material structure at the nanometric scale and atomic resolution. Scanning Probe Microscopy (AFM and STM): analysis of nanoparticles to obtain three-dimensional information, elastic, and conductive properties. Raman and Brillouin Spectroscopy: combination of spectroscopic techniques to study the chemical structure and elastic properties of biomaterials. FT-IR-ATR Analysis: study of the chemical structure and functional groups of both nanomaterials and biomaterials. UV-VIS-NIR Analysis: determination of the size of nanomaterials in aqueous suspension and calculation of the band gap of photocatalytic nanomaterials. XRD Analysis (X-ray Diffraction): study of the crystalline structures and phases of different nanomaterials. DSC Analysis (Calorimetry): calorimetric analysis and identification of different biopolymers. TGA Analysis (Thermogravimetry): study of the thermal stability and decomposition kinetics of biomaterials. Young's Modulus Measurement: determination of the stiffness and mechanical properties of different biomaterials through tensile testing.