2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Materials Science and Engineering Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Thermal Properties of Materials
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Junko Morikawa
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- MAT.P426
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Apr 2, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Thermophysical properties (thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal effusivity, heat capacity) are reviewed from view points of materials science and engineering. Organic and polymeric materials, composites and bio-materials are the main topics, however, general theory of inorganic materials, and metals are introduced. The micro- and macro-scopic thermal properties are discussed in relation with the existing advanced materials. The methodology of measuring methods is reviewed with regard to the International standard (ISO). The concept of thermal design is also reviewed.
Course description and aims
Thermal science and engineering are reviewed in view points of thermophysical properties of materials and its related engineering. By learning the methodology of measuring methods of thermophysical properties, a practical application of thermal design is understood. The thermal design is learned with the examples of advanced materials related to the energy topics and life sciences. The introduction of international standard (ISO) on thermophysical properties makes it possible to learn from the global standard view points.
Keywords
thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal effusivity, heat capacity, thermal design
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Before coming to class, students should read the course schedule and check what topics will be covered. Required learning should be completed outside of the classroom for preparation and review purposes.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Practical methods for the measurement of heat transport properties of materials − principles, applications, and standards − | Understand the general principles of thermophysical properties. |
| Class 2 | Thermal conductivity : Measurement method and application to materials, and the size effects | Understand the principle of the measurement method of thermal conductivity of materials. |
| Class 3 | Thermal diffusivity; Measurement method and application to materials, | Understand the principle of the measurement method of thermal diffusivity of materials. |
| Class 4 | Heat capacity; Measurement method and application to materials, | Understand the principle of the measurement method of heat capacity of materials.Understand the principle of temperature modulated DSC and high-scan rate DSC. |
| Class 5 | Thermal imaging and thermo-spectroscopic imaging | Understand the principle of thermal imaging and thermo-spectroscopic imaging. |
| Class 6 | Materials informatics for molecular structure design and thermophysical properties | Understand the principle of Materials informatics for molecular structure design and thermophysical properties. |
| Class 7 | Physics of phonon engineering | Understand the principle of physics of phonon engineering. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Not required.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Materials used in class can be found on OCW-i.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Student's course scores are based on the report submitted.
Related courses
- MAT.P324 ： Processing of Organic Materials A
- MAT.P325 ： Processing of Organic Materials B
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses is desirable.