Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
This course is designed to provide the background, fundamental concepts, and practical knowledge of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in its relation to polymer- and forest-based materials. The course will consist of:
The working principles and the components of atomic force microscopy (AFM)
What information and results that can be obtained with AFM in relation to polymer- and forest-based materials
How AFM can be utilized in applied research and/or industrial settings
Be able to recognize common artifacts, analyze surface force measurements, interpret results with relation to surface interactions
Design AFM experiments with relevance to own research
Intended learning outcomes
After completion of the course the doctoral student should have the knowledge and ability to
Describe the working principles and the components of the atomic force microscopy (AFM)
Explain and differentiate between the various AFM operation modes
Interpret, process and discuss results obtained by AFM
Critically interpret AFM data both own and in literature with relation to polymer and forest-based materials
Prepare samples suitable for AFM experiments
Preparations before course start
Recommended prerequisites
Eligible for postgraduate studies.
Literature
Hand-outs from presentations, scientific articles and instruction manuals.
Support for students with disabilities
Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:
LAB1 - Laboratory work, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
The examination will consist of three modules:
SEM1: attending lectures and seminars throughout the course (minimum 90% attendance on the lectures and 100% attendance on the seminars)
LAB1: participation in the laboratory lessons
PRO1: completing a project which consist of a written proposal, peer review, and a short presentation of the own proposal.
Other requirements for final grade
Passed grades on all grading modules are required to recive final grade in the course.
Ethical approach
All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Free for PhD students from the Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology at KTH. For others, the course fee is 5000 SEK excluding VAT.
Canvas
All information related to the course will be available on Canvas. This includes lecture notes, instructions in the preparation of the proposal and schedules for the laboratory work. The Canvas page will continuously be updated throughout the course.
Laboratory work (20h)
The schedule and group divisions for the laboratory work will be published on Canvas in connection to the start of the course.
Course disposition
The course comprises of approximately 130 full-time study hours, whereof 16 hours obligatory lectures and tutorials, 20 hours laboratory project and 9 hours of seminar in addition to self-studies. The lectures include basic principles atomic force microscopy, and a survey of a number of the most important AFM techniques. In this context specific instrumental aspects, sample preparation, optimization and problem solving will also be discussed.
Registration to the course
The course has a limited number of participants (20).
Therefore, you need to register for this course via an electronic form. Once you have a confirmed spot in the course, you also need to add the course to your eISP.
