2023-2024 / CHIM0727-1

Macromolecular and materials chemistry

Duration

50h Th

Number of credits

 Master in chemistry (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Christine Jérôme, Bénédicte Vertruyen

Coordinator

Christine Jérôme

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The course structure is organized in 4 sections focusing on metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. Transversal themes such as manufacture/shaping techniques or mechanical properties are encountered in all sections, with more or less details.

Table of contents:

  • Metallic materials : Mechanical properties of metals and alloys - Shaping techniques
  • Other inorganic materials : Shaping of ceramics - Cement and floating glass - Mechanical properties of ceramics, concrete and glass
  • Polymers : behavior in solution and at the solid state - Synthesis concepts for complex structures (living/controlled polymerization)

  • Composites : organic/inorganic composite synthesis and properties

 

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Metals and other inorganic materials:



  • The students will master basic knowledge necessary to access more advanced textbooks or literature related to the different classes of materials.
  • In addition to the usual "knowledge-based" objectives, the course aims at developping more general skills, such as analysis of graphics, problem solving, "self-learning" from extended sources (as opposed to course material summarized by the teacher),...
 

Polymer materials and composites



  • Mastering the basic concepts of controlled polymerizations allowing to suggest and discuss synthetic pathways for complex macromolecular structures (block copolymers).
  • Mastering of the molecular mass determination techniques based on the understanding of the behavior of macromolecules in solution
  • Understanding of the behavior of a polymer material at the solid state, in function of the temperature, exploitation of experimental data to select a material for a given application
  • Understanding of the key concepts of composite fabrication and emerging properties

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

  • Basic course in macromolecular chemistry, such as Prof. C. Jérôme's to 3rd year Bachelor students
  • Basic knowledge of inorganic chemistry and crystallography
  • English competencies: B2 (listening), B2-C1 (reading)
If in doubt, contact Prof. Jerome and Vertruyen to inquire

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Section on polymers (Prof. Jerome) :




  • lectures on general concepts 
  • exploitation of experimental data based on problems solving
  • exploitation of the scientific literature in individual work on a specific topic
Sections on metals and ceramics (Prof. Vertruyen) :
Combination of lectures, required reading and exercises/discussion questions.

NEW in 2023-2024: students might act as consultants to provide scientific information to HEC students enroled in the course "Marketing and Innovation". Practical details will be discussed and agreed on during the beginning of the first quadrimester.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Face-to-face (lectures, exercises) or distance learning if required by Covid situation 
+ Individual work (e.g. required reading at home before attending a class)

Recommended or required readings

copy of slides + required reading material

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Additional information:

One half-day during January session

Passing this course requires both an average mark of at least 10/20 AND at least 8/20 in each of the 2 sections (polymers and metals/inorganics)

NEW in 2023-2024: student involvement as consultants to HEC students enroled in the course "Marketing and Innovation" will be rewarded according to a grading scheme that will be discussed and agreed on during the beginning of the first quadrimester.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Classes will take place on Monday mornings (Prof. Vertruyen) and Tuesday afternoons (Prof. Jérôme) during the 1st quadrimester.

Contacts

Prof. Christine JEROME
CERM, Chemistry department, Bât. B6a, Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liege                                            Tél. : 04/366.34.91 E-mail : C.Jerome@uliege.be

Prof. Benedicte VERTRUYEN
GREENMAT, Chemistry Institute B6a (1st floor)
Contact : preferably by e-mail (b.vertruyen.at.uliege.be); by phone (04/366.34.52)

Association of one or more MOOCs