A hands-on laboratory and computational experience for nanoscale materials, devices and systems education for electronics, spintronics and optoelectronics

Abstract

To enhance the undergraduate and graduate engineering education for nanoscale materials, devices and systems, we report a multi-disciplinary course based on the integration of theory, hands-on laboratory and hands-on computation into a single curriculum. The hands-on laboratory modules span various dimensionalities of nanomaterials as well as applications in logic, memory, and energy harvesting. In the hands-on computational exercises, students simulate the material and the device characteristics, and in some cases, design the experimental process flow to fabricate and characterize the devices and systems. Such a course not only grooms the students for multi-disciplinary collaborative activities in nanoscience and nanoengineering, but also prepares them well for future academic or industrial pursuit in this area.