Natural Sciences

Industrial and academic research demands on advanced materials design and product optimisation have been increasing over recent years. One powerful tool used by companies is materials and device modelling giving a cheap and effective route to new and improved devices. This module will introduce you to the basic concepts of numerical modelling (finite element modelling, MatLab and C/C++ introduction) and its different fields of application, like magnetic materials and mechanical deformation modelling, using state of the art software used by academics and companies.

This module aims to introduce you to the concept of numerical methods and simulation techniques for materials and device modelling, teaching you the strengths and limitations of simulations methods using state of the art software as used by academics and companies.

You will learn the modelling concepts used in research and industry at the cutting edge of material and device development and which are core transferrable skills for employability in these sectors. You will gain experience of applying these concepts to modern research-based problems.

You will develop the following graduate attributes:

• Team work for problem solving in workshops
• Applied thinking and problem solving – applying the knowledge you have gained to develop effective computer models

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 1. Describe theory and numerical techniques of finite element modelling, MatLab and C/C++
• 2. Use numerical methods and simulation techniques to conduct studies on materials exposed to external and internal forces
• 3. Discuss the capabilities and limits of modelling in material science and device modelling

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

• 4. Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and understanding of mathematics and programming
• 5. Describe and apply essential facts and theories in the sub-discipline of mathematics
• 6. Describe and begin to evaluate aspects of current research in mathematics and programming with reference to textbooks and other literature sources

Personal and Key Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge:

• 7. Communicate ideas effectively and professionally by written means
• 8. Participate effectively and professionally in discussion of scientific ideas
• 9. Interact effectively in a group
• 10. With some guidance, begin to develop the skills for independent study
• 11. With some guidance, select and properly manage information drawn from books and other literature sources

A. Introduction to Finite element methods and examples; what it is about and what it can do

• Review of important partial differential equations (PDEs) and Finite Differences (FD) method for solution of PDEs
• Finite Element discretisation.
• Variational principle – Ritz finite element method and applications
• Galerkin finite element method (weighted residual method) and applications
• Finite Volume Method – basics and applications
• Discontinuous Galerkin FEM – basics and applications

B. Matlab introduction

• Matrix and vector operations, solution of linear equations, loop and logical statements, writing function subroutines, file manipulations and plotting functions
• Laplace and 2D heat equation, ODe and PDe

C. Molecular dynamics

• Harmonic potentials (Morse, Buckingham)
• Embedded atom potentials (EAM and MEAM)

D. Introduction into C and C++ programming

• Simple problems from mechanics (Newton mechanics)
• Simple problems from electromagnetics (coil, electric field and magnetic field)

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further practical test. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 40%.

Reading list for this module:

• Numerical Analysis by Burden and Faires
• Numerical Physics by Wiedemann

Yes

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=6954