2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Materials Science and Engineering Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Functional Domain Boundaries
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Hiroko Yokota
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - unknown
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MAT.C511
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Aug 17, 2026
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
In this lecture, we will learn about the influence of boundaries in materials on physical properties and the structures and properties of the boundaries themselves.
In recent years, new knowledge on boundaries has been obtained through the development of experimental techniques. The aim of this course is to learn such advanced measurement techniques and at the same time to acquire specialist knowledge on the functionality of the boundaries that exist within a material and how this functionality is being applied and developed.
Course description and aims
1) Understand the varieties and properties of defects (boundaries) that exist in a material.
2) Understand the functionality of boundaries and how to measure them.
Keywords
defect, domain, boundary
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Lecture based on handouts and check understanding with a quiz.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Fundamentals of Crystal Structures and Lattice Defects |
Understand the definition of lattice defects and comprehend how the presence of point defects and line defects affects crystal structures and macroscopic physical properties. |
| Class 2 | Physics of Planar Defects and Grain Boundaries |
Master the thermodynamic stability and interfacial energy concepts of grain and phase boundaries, and understand how local atomic layer distortions affect overall conduction and mechanical behavior at interfaces. |
| Class 3 | Spontaneous Order, Ferroelectrics, and Multiferroics |
Master the principles of spontaneous polarization and strain resulting from spatial symmetry breaking, and understand the emergence mechanisms of ferroelectric, ferroelastic, and multiferroic properties. |
| Class 4 | Formation of Domain Structures and Domain Boundary Models |
Understand the self-assembly of domain structures driven by competing electrostatic and elastic energies, and master classical domain boundary models such as the Ising-type picture. |
| Class 5 | Topological Domain Structures and Local Symmetry Breaking |
Understand nanoscale topological states like polar vortices and internal rotational domain boundaries, and master how local inversion symmetry breaking generates novel physical responses. |
| Class 6 | Emergent Physical Properties at Domain Boundaries |
Understand the mechanisms by which bulk-forbidden properties, such as localized electrical conductivity, charge accumulation, and ferri-like magnetic order, naturally emerge at domain boundaries governed by Neumann's principle. |
| Class 7 | Functional Domain Boundaries and Next-Generation Computing |
Understand the practical applications and technical challenges of mobile/reconfigurable domain boundaries in domain boundary field-effect transistors (DB-FETs) and crossbar-based in-memory computing architectures. |
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)
Handout materials.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Dennis Meier et al 「Domain Walls」 (Oxford Science Publications) ISBN:978-0-19-886249-9
Evaluation methods and criteria
The achievement of the above attainment objectives is assessed by a quiz.
Related courses
- MAT.M402 ： Characterization of Nanomaterials
- MAT.C401 ： Advanced Course of Dielectric and Ferroelectric Materials
- MAT.C400 ： Crystals Science
Prerequisites
None