2026 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Materials Science and Engineering Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Soft Matter Processing for Functional Materials
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Meguya Ryu
- Class Format
- Lecture
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Class
- -
- Course Code
- MAT.P420
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2026
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 5, 2026
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course aims to provide a comprehensive, multiscale understanding of structure formation (processing) and property characterization, which are essential for developing functional materials based on soft matter. Soft materials exhibit structural tunability across a wide range of hierarchical structures. This course focuses on the length scales that directly govern the creation of functional properties.
Students will learn methods to evaluate the thermal, mechanical, and transport properties arising from these processing-induced structures—employing appropriate length scales and measurement techniques. Recent developments in in situ and operando characterization, enabling the analysis of soft matter-specific dynamics and structures, will be introduced, alongside measurements of nanoscale physical properties. Through these topics, the course aims to cultivate an understanding that links processing, structure, and material properties.
Course description and aims
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Explain that the physical properties of soft materials originate from multiple length scales.
2. Describe anisotropic and other characteristic properties of soft materials in relation to processing-induced structures.
3. Understand representative structure‐forming processes suitable for soft materials (e.g., alignment control, MEMS-related techniques) and recognize their scale-dependent limitations.
4. Select appropriate characterization methods for specific properties (thermal, mechanical, transport, interfacial, etc.) based on the measurement purpose and relevant length scales, and justify their suitability.
5. Develop the ability to evaluate the evolving structures and properties of soft matter during processing or dynamic operation by utilizing advanced in situ and nanoscale characterization techniques.
Keywords
Thermal properties, Mechanical properties, Anisotropy, Processing, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), In situ measurement, Nanoscale measurement
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Explain using handouts and slides.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Overview |
Learn about the basic concepts of soft matter processing. |
| Class 2 | Functionality of Soft Materials and Structural Control through Processing |
Students will learn about the functionality of soft materials that arises from the anisotropy inherent in their hierarchical structures and the structural control enabled by processing. |
| Class 3 | Multiscale Physical Properties of Soft Materials |
This lecture covers the multiscale physical properties exhibited by soft materials, with examples including the measurement of acoustic waves using inelastic scattering technique and the evaluation of thermal diffusivity. |
| Class 4 | Microfabrication and Device Development of Soft Materials |
Students will learn microfabrication techniques for soft materials using photosensitive polymers and chemically amplified photoresists, as well as fabrication methods for microscale devices based on these materials. |
| Class 5 | Micro- and Nanoscale Property Measurement Techniques |
This lecture introduces methodologies for measuring the physical properties of soft materials in localized regions at the micro- and nanoscale. |
| Class 6 | Simultaneous and In Situ Property Measurements |
Students will study approaches for simultaneous measurement of multiple physical properties and in situ characterization of material properties during dynamic processes of soft materials. |
| Class 7 | Summary |
Summarize the whole lesson and deepen students’ understanding. |
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 LMS.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Students will be assessed on their understanding of the lecture by examinations and reports.
Related courses
- MAT.P426 ： Thermal Properties of Materials
Prerequisites
No prerequisites are necessary, but enrollment in the related courses is desirable.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
Meguya Ryu (ryu.meguya[at]mct.isct.ac.jp)
Office hours
NA