Course syllabus

Tailored materials and commercialization aspects (MTT081)

(LP2 2025/2026)

Examiner: Uta Klement (772 1264; uta.klement@chalmers.se)

Prerequisites

Required is a basic knowledge in materials science and engineering.

Aim

Increasing demands for properties like light weight, high-temperature stability, high load, wear resistance, sustainability, etc. resulted in the development of a wide range of advanced engineering materials. In the course, several of these modern types of materials and production methods (nanostructured materials, amorphous materials and high entropy materials, graphene, etc.) will be discussed. The aim is to introduce topics from the research front in Materials Science and Engineering, and to demonstrate how different materials concepts can be used to achieve novel and/or improved materials properties in order to realize new products. In parallel to the different materials concepts, commercialization aspects will be covered for providing knowledge on intellectual property and innovation strategies.

Learning outcome

After completion of this course, you should be able to

• describe the different material concepts and their critical parts
• describe the design strategy
• relate the improvement in properties to the materials microstructure
• comment on application limits and exemplify some of the trade-offs involved
• describe different protection strategies
• analyse technological innovations and markets and understand how customer value can be created.

Content

In the course, advanced engineering materials and their production methods will be discussed using examples from recent developments and on-going research. Innovation strategies are covered and deal with questions such as: (1) When do I know I have a business idea? (2) Should I publish my results or apply for a patent? (3) What is asked from me if I decide to start a business?

Presentations from company representatives will provide background information on innovation/commercialization aspects.

Organisation

The course will be divided into lectures, a workshop, a study visit, and a project work (consisting of presentation and sales pitch). With respect to the project work, you must team up with other students and work with a product/innovation (grouping will be done in the beginning of the course). At the end of the course, your group will give a presentation about the product/ innovation you have chosen and will do a “sales pitch” on another product/innovation. Both presentation and sales pitch will be graded. Details on the project work will be provided during the first lecture.

Literature

Specific literature (handouts) will be provided during the course.

Examination

There will be a written exam on Tuesday, 13^th of January 2025 (morning). A passed exam and an approved project work are required for passing the course.

Preliminary Schedule

Study visit and guest lecture are confirmed, but changes may apply.