The innovation of materials is one of the pillars of the Industry 4.0 paradigm, and surfaces play a key role in the innovation process. Through modification, structuring and coating of the surface the most diverse functions and functionalities – and therefore future-oriented products and systems – can be realized, expanding the potential application of materials and giving life to new and augmented products. Within this framework, this course aims at providing graduates with the fundamental knowledge of surface science and technology with an application-driven design of surface engineering. By the end of this module, students will be able to appreciate the multidisciplinary approach of surface science and technology, with a clear understanding of the main Tribological and Functional Applications, as well as fundamentals of surface design to protect them from Environmental degradation. Finally, the student will be able to evaluate the best combination of technological processes to design the surface of selected materials for a given application.

Knowledge and understanding: Through lectures, seminars, educational visits and experimental labs, the student will learn the science and technology of surfaces. Learning skills: the activities described so far, allow the students to acquire the methodological tools that are necessary to continue their educational career and to become familiar with the ever-continuing update on scientific achievements that is required in cutting-edge technological fields. Communication skills: written open questions will improve the ability of presenting the key contents of the course and to provide evidence of their understanding in an effective and concise way and to express the acquired concepts with an appropriate language. Applying knowledge and understanding: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to apply his/her knowledge to • describe and compare different materials that show similar surface properties, • describe and distinguish between different processes for designing and enegineering, • appraise reasons for selecting the best process for modification, structuring and coating of a surface for a given application.

The following knowledge and skills are required for the correct use of the teaching: • Elementary physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, wave optics, fluidics, elements of structure of matter) • Basic knowledge of material science and technology (acquired at PoliTo in the “Science and Technology of Polymeric Materials” and “Materials Science and Technology lectures) • Basic knowledge of Advanced Manufacturing (acquired at PoliTo in the “Materials for Advanced Manufacturing I” and “Materials for Advanced Manufacturing II” lectures)

The Course is organized in three main parts : Functional applications • Surface cleaning processes • Organic coatings and paints • Hybrid surface treatments and coatings • Surface Micro and nanopatterning • Surface requirements in electronic devices Tribological applications • Cutting tools & forming dies • Wear mechanisms and related surface requirements • Plasma physics; physical vapor deposition; Special focus on Arc PVD deposition techniques • Coating materials & specific characterization Environmental degradation protection • High temperature applications o Thermal spraying processes o EBM-PVD o TBC o Oxidation protection layers; EBC • Wet corrosion o Electrochemical processes (e.g., electroplating, galvanizing deposition…) Brief overview of the main methods for surface characterization.

The course includes: (i) frontal teaching activities supported by last-generation multimedia systems. The didactic material is uploaded before each lecture on the course platform; (ii) experimental labs (iii) educational visits; (iv) seminars.

This teaching module offers an innovative point of view on surface science and engineering, synthesising many concepts of physics, chemistry and material and surface engineering in such a way that no texts or books available on the market can completely cover the course topics. To cope with this issue, students will be provided with various teaching resources, such as slides, reports and handouts. For some specific topics books could be available, and they will be highlighted.

This teaching module offers an innovative point of view on surface science and engineering, synthesising many concepts of physics, chemistry and material and surface engineering in such a way that no texts or books available on the market can completely cover the course topics. To cope with this issue, students will be provided with various teaching resources, such as slides, reports and handouts. For some specific topics books could be available, and they will be highlighted.

Slides;

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova orale facoltativa;

Exam: Written test; Optional oral exam;

... The grading system includes a written test and optional oral test. The written test (2 hrs) is based on a questionnaire with multiple choice questions and open questions that are addressed to verify the students learning and knowledge of the course content. The optional oral test, that is also addressed to verify the students learning and knowledge of the course content, consists of an interview, approximately 15 minutes long, on the course program. Should the oral test be undertaken, the final mark is the average of the marks obtained in the two tests (written test + oral test), otherwise the score of the written test applies

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.