The course is taught in English. This course aims to provide some fundamental tools needed to study the properties of nano-structured surfaces and nano-dimensional systems, focusing on their advanced physical characterization, their synthesis, the modification of their physical properties at the nanoscale and some advanced applications. The student will achieve the ability to deal with these nanodimensional systems, being able to understand, characterize and modify their main physical characteristics, such as elemental composition, morphology and nanostructure. This course plays a central role in the development of an Engineer expert in nanotechnologies, since the ability to study, characterize and modify the properties of physical systems at the nanoscale are of paramount importance in all aspects nanotechnology applications. The course is divided in four parts. In the first part, the most fundamental physical aspects of the interactions between nanostructured surfaces and ambient are treated. The second part is devoted to the most advanced techniques for the physical characterization of nanostructured surfaces and nano-dimensional systems. The third part is devoted to the most advanced techniques for the modification of surfaces at the nanoscale and the synthesis of nano-dimensional systems. In the last part, the application of nanosystems to some specific fields will be presented.

- Knowledge of the physical behavior of surfaces at the nanoscale. - Knowledge of most advanced techniques for the characterization of nanostructured surfaces and nano-dimensional systems. - Knowledge of most advanced techniques for the modification of surfaces at nanoscale and the synthesis of nano-dimensional systems. - Knowledge of some specific applications of nanosystems. - Ability to characterize surfaces and nanostructures at the nanoscale. - Ability to modify the physical properties of surfaces at the nanoscale and to synthesize nano-dimensional systems. - Ability to apply some kinds of nanosystems to specific fields.

- Elementary physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics) - Elementary chemistry. - Quantum mechanics. - Elements of statistical mechanics. - Elements of structure of matter. - Elements of solid state physics.

Physical properties and interaction of surfaces and nanostructures at the nanoscale (~ 1 CFU). Advanced techniques for the physical characterization of surfaces and nanostructures (~ 1 CFU). Advanced techniques for the modification of surfaces at the nanoscale and the synthesis of nano-dimensional systems (~ 1 CFU). Advanced applications of nanosystems (~1 CFU). Laboratory lessons (~ 2 CFU): - modification of surfaces at the nanoscale - morphological, compositional and surface energy analysis of nanostructured surfaces and nanosystems - advanced applications of nanosystems.

The course involves class lectures, making use of slides which are available on the teaching portal, as well as laboratory lessons. The laboratory lessons are a considerable part of the course. The students are organized in small teams and conduct the experiments under the guide of experts.

- Teaching material distributed by the teachers. - H. Luth, Solid Surfaces, Interfaces and Thin Films, Springer, 2010. - H. Busse and B.E. Koel, “Surface processes”, in: Digital Encyclopedia of Applied Physics - Condensed Matter F: Surfaces and Interfaces, Wiley, 2014. - Other references will be communicated by the teacher during the lessons.

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova orale facoltativa; Elaborato scritto individuale; Elaborato scritto prodotto in gruppo;

Exam: Written test; Optional oral exam; Individual essay; Group essay;

... The assessment criteria involve: - the student's knowledge of the main properties of nano-structured surfaces and nano-dimensional systems, of the main methods for nano-synthesis, surface modification and characterization, as well as of some specific applications of nanosystems; - the student's ability to describe, either in written or oral form, a method for the nano-synthesis, surface modification or characterization at the nanoscale, as well as a specific application of nanosystems, using the technical language correctly; - the student's ability to apply a method for the nano-synthesis, surface modification or characterization at the nanoscale, or a specific application of nanosystems in a laboratory environment. The exam involves a mandatory written part and an optional oral part. The written part consists of some questions concerning the topics discussed during the course. The total allotted time to answer the questions is 2 hr and a mark of 18/30 is required to pass the exam. It is not allowed to use any kind of didactic material (such as textbooks or notes) during the exam. The optional oral part consists in delivering an original student's presentation, of 15-20 min duration, which critically describes the content of a recent scientific paper related to one or more of the course topics. After the presentation, the student could be required to answer some questions related to the course topics. - In case of positive evaluation of the oral exam, the written exam mark may be increased of max 4 points. - In case of negative evaluation of the oral exam, the written exam mark may be reduced of max 2 points. During the course, the students may achieve additional points, which will be added to the evaluation of the written exam, in the following ways. - Students who regularly attend the lectures may ask to deliver to the class an oral presentation of 15-20 min duration, with an in-depth study of a specific topic. The presentation will be discussed together with the other students and its evaluation may provide a maximum of 2 points. - Students who have attended at least 75% of the laboratory lessons may deliver to the teacher a report on the laboratory activities. The report may be produced either individually or by groups of max 4 students. The report must be delivered before the date of the written exam in the first examination session, and its evaluation may provide a maximum of 2 points.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.