- Knowledge of the physical behavior of surfaces at the nanoscale. - Knowledge of advanced techniques for the characterization of nanostructured surfaces and nano-dimensional systems. - Knowledge of advanced techniques for the modification of surfaces at nanoscale. - Knowledge of advanced techniques for the synthesis of nano-dimensional systems. - Ability to characterize surfaces and nanostructures. - Ability to modify the physical properties of surfaces at the nanoscale. - Ability to synthesize nano-dimensional systems.

- Elementary physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, wave optics, elements of the structure of matter) - Elements of quantum mechanics - Elements of statistical mechanics - Elements of solid state physics

Physical properties of surfaces and nanostructures and their interactions with the ambient at the nanoscale. Techniques for the physical characterization of surfaces and nanostructures (Auger Spectroscopy, Xray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy, Rutherford Back-Scattering, Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis, Xray Diffractometry, Low-Energy Electron Diffraction, Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure). Advanced techniques for the modification of surfaces at the nanoscale (e.g. thermal, plasma-assisted, assisted by ion/electron beams, etc.). Advanced techniques for the synthesis of nano-dimensional systems and some examples of applications. Laboratory lessons deal with one or more of these topics - modification of surfaces at the nanoscale - morphological analysis of nanostructured surfaces and nanosystems - compositional analysis of nanostructured surfaces and nanosystems - analysis of the surface energy of nanostructured surfaces and nanosystems

The course involves class lectures, making use of slides, which are available on the teaching portal, as well as laboratory lessons. The theoretical lectures will be performed in class or online (by means of the "Virtual Classroom" software provided by Politecnico di Torino) or blended, depending on sanitary emergency conditions. Due to the situation of the pandemic, laboratory lessons are given as a written and/or video description of an experiment, together with the experimental results. The students may execute a data analysis on the results to extract some physical information and write a report about the procedure, which can provide an additional evaluation. Regardless of the type of laboratory lessons given, they are not mandatory and students may achieve the maximum grade without attending to them.

- 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.

Exam: Optional oral exam; Group essay; Paper-based written test with video surveillance of the teaching staff;

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; - 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, using the technical language correctly; - the student's ability to apply a method for the nano-synthesis, surface modification or characterization at the nanoscale 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 1.5 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 written part is conducted at home, with remote surveillance by means of "Virtual Classroom" or other equivalent software. 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. The oral exam is conducted by means of "Virtual Classroom" or other equivalent software. As a result of the of the oral exam evaluation, the written exam mark may be increased of maximum 4 points. The written exam mark me also be reduced of maximum 2 points, if the presentation contains major mistakes or the student does not answer to the teacher's questions correctly. Students who have attended at least 50% of the laboratory lessons may deliver to the teacher a report on the laboratory activities. The report must be original and must be delivered (by uploading it on didactic portal) before the date of the first written exam. Its evaluation may increase the witten exam mark of 2 points at maximum .

Exam: Written test; Optional oral exam; Group essay; Paper-based written test with video surveillance of the teaching staff;

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; - 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, using the technical language correctly; - the student's ability to apply a method for the nano-synthesis, surface modification or characterization at the nanoscale 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 1.5 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 written part may be conducted - in a room at politecnico, for students who can be present and if possible due to sanitary and academic regulations; - at home, with remote surveillance by means of "Virtual Classroom" or other equivalent software. 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. The oral exam may be conducted - in a room at politecnico, for students who can be present and if possible due to sanitary and academic regulations; - remotely by means of "Virtual Classroom" or other equivalent software. As a result of the of the oral exam evaluation, the written exam mark may be increased of maximum 4 points. The written exam mark me also be reduced of maximum 2 points, if the presentation contains major mistakes or the student does not answer to the teacher's questions correctly. Students who have attended at least 50% of the laboratory lessons may deliver to the teacher a report on the laboratory activities. The report must be original and must be delivered (by uploading it on didactic portal) before the date of the first written exam. Its evaluation may increase the witten exam mark of 2 points at maximum .