Program Overview

Course Overview

The course TMT4245, Functional Materials, is a second-degree level course that provides an introduction to the fundamental relationships between chemical composition, crystal structure, and functional properties for inorganic materials.

Course Content

The subject will cover the crystal structure of solids, phase transformations, and relations between crystal structure, composition, and functional properties, including properties of transitions. Property areas such as electronic, thermal, and ionic transport properties will be covered. Applications that will be used as examples for the use of functional materials will include:

• Semiconductors in electronics, optics, and photovoltaic cells
• Ionic conductors in batteries, sensors, and fuel cells
• Phase change materials for thermal energy storage and caloric applications
• Dielectric, piezoelectric, and ferroelectric capacitors, actuators, and sensors
• Magnetic materials for memory and caloric applications

Learning Outcome

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Give a qualitative description of the simplest and most common crystal structures of inorganic materials and have basic knowledge of symmetry operations
• Classify and characterize different phase transitions and their properties
• Relate phase transitions, crystal structure, and crystal symmetry to the different functional properties covered in the course
• Describe microscopic mechanisms for electronic conductivity in metals, semiconductors, and insulators
• Name several different ionic conducting materials and describe microscopic mechanisms for ionic and mixed conductivity
• Describe microscopic mechanisms for ferroelectricity, ferromagnetism, and related dielectric and magnetic properties
• Relate crystal structure and electronic structure to optical and thermal properties
• Predict electronic, dielectric, magnetic, optical, and thermal properties based on the acquired knowledge
• Name several different applications for different functional materials
• Identify which functional properties would be required for different technological applications and propose specific materials suitable for the application in question

Learning Methods and Activities

The teaching is based on lectures and exercises. The exercises are voluntary. An oral presentation of the group project is compulsory. The final grade is determined by 75% final examination and 25% project work.

Compulsory Assignments

• Oral presentation of group work

Further on Evaluation

• Written school exam, accounting for 75% of the grade
• A group project that involves a written report, accounting for 25% of the grade
• Re-sit exam in August, with the possibility of changing the examination form from written to oral
• When improving the grade, both evaluations must be repeated in the same semester

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Inorganic Chemistry/Materials Chemistry, Materials Science, Solid State Physics, or similar courses.

Course Materials

Will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Subject Areas

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Technological subjects

Examination Arrangement

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary Examination - Spring 2026

• School exam, weighting 75/100, with examination aids code C, duration 4 hours, and exam system Inspera Assessment
• Assignment, weighting 25/100, with exam system Inspera Assessment

Re-sit Examination - Summer 2026

• School exam, weighting 75/100, with examination aids code C, duration 4 hours, and exam system Inspera Assessment

Credits and Duration

• Credits: 7.5
• Level: Second degree level
• Course start: Spring 2026
• Duration: 1 semester
• Language of instruction: English
• Location: Trondheim

Expected Time Spent

• Lectures: 60 hours
• Exercises: 30 hours
• Project work: 30 hours
• Self-study: 95 hours