EdX

Microstructural Evolution of Materials Part 3: Surfaces & Surface-Driven Reactions (edX)

Offered by MIT, MITx,
Microstructural Evolution of Materials Part 3: Surfaces & Surface-Driven Reactions (edX)

Discover the principles of Surfaces & Surface-Driven Reactions that explain materials science phenomena. This module is Part 3 of a four-part series on the Microstructural Evolution in Materials. Taken together, these four modules provide similar content to the MIT Course 3.022: Microstructural Evolution of Materials.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This series introduces various kinetic phenomena in various classes of materials. The course explains how materials develop different microstructure based on different processing techniques, and it relates these microstructures to the properties of the material.
Microstructural Evolution of Materials is intended for engineering and science students and professionals with an interest in materials statistics, kinetics, and microstructural transformations.
Part 1 of the course will introduce important concepts in statistical mechanics that are especially relevant to materials scientists. Topics include solid solutions, the canonical ensemble and heat capacity.
Part 2 of the course focuses on point defect evolution, including diffusion, substitutional diffusion, ionic defects, and ionic conductivity.
Part 3 of the course discusses surfaces and surface-driven reactions. Topics include surface energy, faceted and non-faceted growth, and growth and ripening.
Part 4 of the course focuses on phase transformations, including nucleation and growth, precipitate growth, interface stability, and glass transition.

Prerequisites:

  • Parts 1 and 2 of Microstructure of Materials (3.022.1x, 3.022.2x)
  • University-level Calculus
  • Structure of Materials (Ideally, 3.012Sx: Structure of Materials
  • Thermodynamics (ideally, 3.012Tx: Thermodynamics of Materials)

What you'll learn
At the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Predict surface energy along various crystalline planes
  • Understand how surface energy can be exploited in nanoparticle synthesis
  • Explain the Ostwald ripening process in solid solutions

Syllabus

Surface Energy:

  • Introduction: Surface Science
  • New Surface Creation
  • Surface Energy for High-Index Planes
  • Surface and Chemical Potential: Spherical Particles
  • Surface Effects in Nanosystems

Faceted & Non-Faceted Growth:

  • Atomically Smooth vs. Atomically Rough Surfaces
  • The Jackson Model of Crystal Growth
  • The Jackson Factor
  • Morphology of Crystals Grown from Melt

Grain Growth:

  • Introduction to Growth and Ripening
  • 2-D Grain Growth
  • Grain Boundary Motion: Interface Curvature
  • Grain Boundary Motion: Laplace Pressure
  • Grain Growth Kinetics

Ostwald Ripening:

  • Ostwald Ripening Kinetics
  • Ostwald Ripening: Mean Field Approximation
  • Ostwald Ripening: Particle Coarsening
  • Ostwald Ripening: Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner Theory
  • Practical Implications of Grain Growth and Ostwald Ripening
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Structure of Materials (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Structure of Materials (edX)

Discover the structure of the materials that make up our modern world and learn how this underlying structure influences the properties and performance of these materials. Structure determines so much about a material: its properties, its potential applications, and its performance within those applications. This course from MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering explores the structure of a wide variety of materials with current-day engineering applications.

No sessions available
13-24 Weeks
Fundamentos de Comunicaciones Ópticas (edX) EdX
Universitat Politècnica de València,UPValenciaX

Fundamentos de Comunicaciones Ópticas (edX)

Se tratan conceptos básicos de las comunicaciones ópticas como el guiado, los modos, la atenuación o la dispersión y el diseño de sistemas. Este curso está destinado a estudiantes universitarios de la rama de las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones que quieran conocer los mecanismos fundamentales de las comunicaciones por fibra óptica.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Materials Science: 10 Things Every Engineer Should Know (Coursera)

We explore “10 things” that range from the menu of materials available to engineers in their profession to the many mechanical and electrical properties of materials important to their use in various engineering fields. We also discuss the principles behind the manufacturing of those materials. By the end of the course, you will be able to: recognize the important aspects of the materials used in modern engineering applications; explain the underlying principle of materials science: “structure leads to properties,”; identify the role of thermally activated processes in many of these important “things” – as illustrated by the Arrhenius relationship; relate each of these topics to issues that have arisen (or potentially could arise) in your life and work.

Sep 28th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Fundamentos de Mecánica para Ingeniería (edX) EdX
Universitat Politècnica de València,UPValenciaX

Fundamentos de Mecánica para Ingeniería (edX)

Estudiaremos la cinemática y la dinámica del punto, los conceptos de trabajo y potencia y la energía mecánica. Se aborda el estudio del universo físico analizando objetos en movimiento. Se definen y analizan todas las magnitudes y leyes físicas que permiten describir geométrica y causalmente el movimiento de cuerpos representados por un punto.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Project Management of Engineering Projects: Preparing for Success (edX) EdX
Delft University of Technology,DelftX

Project Management of Engineering Projects: Preparing for Success (edX)

Create your own project plan and learn the importance of the early project phases in achieving project success. People are key! Are you a (project) engineer with a technical background but lack management knowledge? Are you eager to improve project performance and want to expand your knowledge? This business and management course will focus on the necessary project management skills to successfully manage projects.

Sep 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Microstructural Evolution of Materials Part 1: Statistical Mechanics (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Microstructural Evolution of Materials Part 1: Statistical Mechanics (edX)

Discover the principles of statistical mechanics that explain materials science phenomena. This module is Part 1 of a four-part series on the Microstructural Evolution in Materials. Taken together, these four modules provide similar content to the MIT Course 3.022: Microstructural Evolution of Materials. This series introduces various kinetic phenomena in various classes of materials. The course explains how materials develop different microstructure based on different processing techniques, and it relates these microstructures to the properties of the material.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Fundamentals of Non-Destructive Testing (edX) EdX
Purdue University,PurdueX

Fundamentals of Non-Destructive Testing (edX)

Learn the fundamentals of non-destructive testing (NDT), a technique used to evaluate material and structure properties and defects without causing damage. Non-destructive testing (NDT) is used across industries to ensure product integrity and reliability; it is used in the aerospace, defense, oil and gas, and automotive sectors. In civil engineering, NDT is commonly used to detect flaws and defects in concrete elements and structures.

Jan 10th 2022
5-12 Weeks
Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science (chemistry) (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Science & Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to Soft Matter Science (chemistry) (edX)

Top chefs and Harvard researchers explore how everyday cooking and haute cuisine can illuminate basic principles in chemistry, physics, and engineering. Learn about food molecules and how chemical reactions can affect food texture and flavor. During each module of this course, chefs reveal the secrets behind some of their most famous culinary creations — often right in their own restaurants. Inspired by such cooking mastery, the Harvard team will then explain the science behind the recipe.

Self Paced
Self-Paced