Course manual 2021/2022
Course content
Soft and porous materials are one of the most important groups of materials present in nature (such as rocks, soil, bones, wood, human tissues, etc..) and also engineered and designed in various fields of materials sciences (such as catalysts, fabrics, advanced new materials for civil engineering, concrete, cement, gels, polymers, foams, etc.).
Porous materials exhibit rich transport and mechanical properties due to a combination of porosity, structural order and composition which can be intrinsic to the material or added to it by e.g., combining soft and hard materials.
The aim of this course is to introduce the physics and governing mechanisms controlling the transport processes (flow of liquids, solutes and gas, phase transitions) in soft and porous media and the mechanics (elasticity, poro-elasticity, fracture) in this type of material.
During the course we will describe:
- The main properties of these materials followed by hydrodynamics and capillarity in porous media with solute transport.
- Theory and StatMech of poroelasticity (interplay between fluid flow and solid deformation) in porous media, and application to the elasticity of soft materials (elastomers and gels)
- Some application to cultural heritage ; how these concepts can be applied to understand the material dynamics (crystallization and damage) and to preserve sculptures and monuments from weathering .
- If time allows, a visit to the Atelier Gebouw (NICAS/ Rijksmuseum/RCE/UvA) will be organized.
Study materials
Literature
Other
Objectives
- The student will understand the mechanisms involved in transport processes in porous media and will be able to work with the equations that govern the fate and transport of gas, water and solutes in porous media
- The student will learn how the self assembly of soft molecules such as surfactants and gels influence the micro structure of the resulting materials and their properties.
- The student will be able to express and translate hydrodynamics for a better understanding of the dynamics of transport and fluid flow in such materials
- The student will be able to solve basic mechanical problems in advanced elasticity. E.g. they will be able to predict how elastomers and hydrogels respond under mechanical or osmotic load.
- The student will be able to identify and theoretically predict dramatic events in soft and porous media such as instabilities and fracture
Teaching methods
- Lecture
- Presentation/symposium
- Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
- Fieldwork/excursion
Learning activities
Activity | Hours |
Hoorcollege | 28 |
Tentamen | 2 |
Werkcollege | 14 |
Self study | 124 |
Total | 168 | (6 EC x 28 uur) |
Attendance
Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).
In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.
Additional requirements for this course:
Absence needs to be communicated to the course coordinator.
Assessment
Fraud and plagiarism
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Course structure
| Weeknummer | Onderwerpen | Studiestof |
| 1 | | |
| 2 | | |
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| 8 | | |
Coordinator
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prof. dr. N.F. Shahidzadeh