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Unit information: Smart Materials in 2020/21

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Unit name Smart Materials
Unit code AENGM0010
Credit points 10
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Professor. Hamerton
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Faculty Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This is an introductory unit that takes students through the basic understanding of a range of smart materials, their capabilities, and how they can be applied to solve engineering problems. The preparation of an individual, short duration, research project proposal on the topic of smart materials is used to encourage:

  • extended reading around a broad and diverse subject;
  • development of own ideas;
  • communication and writing skills;
  • consideration of how a research idea can be deconstructed into tasks/activities.

The aims of the unit are to enable students to:

  • appreciate and understand the concept of smart materials
  • describe the scientific principles behind and review the capabilities of, current smart materials
  • develop a critical understanding of their practical engineering application
  • develop and refine the skills to devise, prepare and communicate a short research proposal based on the development and application of smart materials.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Be familiar with and understand the scientific principles and behaviour of several current 'smart' material systems
  2. Be able to formulate and apply a 'smart' materials approach to solving an engineering need
  3. Research, prepare and communicate (both written and orally) a project proposal based on the development of a 'smart' approach to an engineering problem.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, which may include lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, problem sheets and self-directed exercises.

Assessment Information

100% Coursework

Reading and References

  • Smart Technologies – K Worden, W A Bullough, J Hauwood – World Scientific Publishing Co. Pre. Ltd, 2003 ISBN981-02-4776-1
  • Smart Materials – M Schwartz – CRC Press, 2009 ISBN 978-1-4200-4372-3

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