MT205
Functional Properties of Materials (FPM)
Dr. Ranbir Singh (Assistant Professor)
School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
IIT Mandi
MT503: Functional Properties of Materials
4 credit course
2 + 2 (Theory + Lab)
Jan-May 2026 Timetable
Room Allocations: Jan-May 2026
Classification of Materials on Engineering Basis: Properties,
Structure, and Functionality
Based on Physical State
Solids: Metals, ceramics, polymers.
Liquids: Resins, lubricants.
Gases: Insulating gases like SF₆.
Based on Structure
Crystalline materials: Have ordered atomic structure (metals, ceramics).
Amorphous materials: Disordered atomic structure (glass).
Polycrystalline materials: Composed of grains (most metals).
Based on Mechanical Properties
Ductile materials: Can deform plastically (e.g., aluminum).
Brittle materials: Break without significant deformation (e.g., ceramics).
Elastic materials: Return to original shape after deformation (e.g., rubber).
Based on Chemical Composition
Metals: Ferrous (steel, cast iron) and non-ferrous (aluminum, copper).
Ceramics: Oxides, carbides, nitrides.
Polymers: Thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers.
Composites: Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs), metal-matrix composites.
Based on Thermal Properties
Conductive materials: Copper, aluminum for heat conduction.
Insulating materials: Asbestos, aerogels.
Phase-change materials: Wax for thermal storage.
Based on Manufacturing Methods
Cast materials: Made by pouring molten material into molds.
Wrought materials: Shaped mechanically (e.g., rolling, forging).
Powder metallurgy materials: Created using sintering processes.
Based on Electrical Properties
Conductors: Metals like copper, silver.
Semiconductors: Silicon, gallium arsenide.
Insulators: Glass, ceramics.
Based on Advanced Functional Properties
Specific Functionality
Electrical, Magnetic, Dielectric
Structure of the Course
Functional Properties
of Materials
Functional Materials
Basics & Specific Functionality
Functional Properties Applications Experimental lab
Electrical (electron, atom), LED, Photovoltaic, Characterization
Magnetic (Spin, Domain Thermoelectric, Sensors & of
theory), Dielectric (dipole, Quantum Devices Materials & Devices
Polarization)
Objective of the Course: Functional Properties of Materials
This course provides students from diverse fields with a comprehensive understanding of the
intrinsic and extrinsic properties that enable materials to perform specific functions across
various applications. It offers a solid conceptual background in material science and solid-state
physics, bridging the gap between fundamental concepts and practical device applications. By
exploring how electronic, magnetic, optical, and thermal properties arise from material
structure-property correlations, students will explore these functionalities for advanced
technologies in energy, electronics, and sensing.
Content of the Course
Introduction: Overview of functional materials, including inorganic, organic, and metal-
organic frameworks, as well as hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites. Discussion on the use of
material functionalities in device fabrication. Exploration of functionalities driven by electronic,
spin, and ionic properties, along with the integration of these effects for designing novel
materials. [4 Hours]
Functionality Driven by Electronic Properties: Atom, Electrons, Solids, Examination of
amorphous and crystalline solids, electronic states, band formation, and band dispersions in
crystalline materials. Coverage of metals, semiconductors, and insulators, including direct and
indirect bandgap semiconductors, impurity bands in doped semiconductors, charge carrier
transport, and optical properties, with a focus on optoelectronic materials. [12 Hours]
Functionality Driven by Spin Properties: Magnetic moments in atoms, spin and orbital
contributions in solids, magnetization, and various types of magnetic materials and their
applications. Detailed discussion on exchange interactions, magnetic transition temperatures
(mean-field theory), domain wall formation, and materials like Magnetoresistance, CMR/GMR.
[10 Hours]
Functionality Driven by Dipole/Ionic Properties: Investigation of covalent, ionic, and
metallic solids, dipole formation, and polarization. Overview of paraelectric, ferroelectric,
antiferroelectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric materials, including domain wall formation in
ferroelectrics and multiferroic materials. [6 Hours]
Cont…
Energy Devices Driven by Functionality: Study of energy-efficient devices such as light-
emitting diodes, power electronics, quantum devices, photodetectors, thermoelectric,
electrocaloric, magnetocaloric, and photovoltaic devices, showcasing the practical application
of functional materials. [10 Hours]
Lab Experiments
1. Design and construct 3D models of crystal structures to visualize lattice arrangements, calculate packing
fractions, and determine mass and density. These models also illustrate the concept of Avogadro's number and
related properties.
2. Conduct photophysical analysis of materials through UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL)
spectroscopy to probe optical properties. Determine the optical bandgap using Tauc's plot derived from
absorption spectra.
3. Evaluate the electrical conductivity of materials using experimental techniques like four-point probe
measurements and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics.
4. Characterization of thermal properties via TGA-DSC: specific heat and thermal expansion in diverse materials
5. Analysis of series, charge transfer, and recombination resistances in electronic devices using electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
6. Study the magnetic flux density versus applied magnetic field (M-H) hysteresis loop of magnetic materials.
7. Investigate superconductivity and its key phenomena, including demonstrations of the Meissner effect and
analysis of persistent currents.
8. Determine the piezoelectric coefficient 𝑑 using a dedicated piezoelectric tester. Output voltage and current
measurements in a piezoelectric device with the help of digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) during mechanical
stress application.
9. Photodetector characterization to examine the impact of varying light intensities on its performance metrics:
current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, detectivity and sensitivity.
10. Measure key photovoltaic parameters of silicon and thin-film solar cells, including open-circuit voltage, short-
circuit current, fill factor, and efficiency. Investigate the impact of varying light intensity on power output and
current-voltage (I-V) characteristic
11. Examine the microstructure of materials employing an optical microscope to visualize surface morphology,
grain boundaries, and defects.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Develop a thorough understanding of functional properties of materials.
• Understand the functionalities arising from electronic, spin, and dipole/ionic
properties.
• Identify and apply material functionalities in devices such as LEDs, Photovoltaics,
Thermoelectric, and Quantum devices.
Study Material: Books and other Sources
Textbooks:
Principles of Materials Science and Engineering, W. F. Smith, McGraw-Hill.
Solid State Physics by N. W. Ashcroft and N. D. Mermin, 1976, Harcourt College Publishers
The Physics of Semiconductors: An Introduction Including Devices and Nanophysics by
Marius Grundmann, 2010, Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York
Engineering Materials and Their Applications, R.A. Flinn and P.K. Trojan, Haughton.
Other References:
Electronic Structure: Basic Theory and Practical Methods by R. M. Martin, 2004, Cambridge
University Press.
Multiferroicity: The coupling between magnetic and polarization orders by K.F. Wang, J. –
M. Liu, and Z. F. Ren, Advances in Physics 58, 321 (2009).
Principles of Electronic Materials and Devices by S. O. Kasap
MT205 Course Evaluation and Grading
Quiz - 2: 10%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Lab Experiment Reports & Viva: 30%
EndSem Exam 20%
Class Presentation 10%
Lab and Class Attendance: 10%
Classification of Functional Materials
Solid Materials
Structural Materials and Functional Materials
Functionalities arising from
electronic, spin, and ionic
properties
Exploring electronic,
optical, thermal, and
magnetic properties
Functional Materials
Carbon-based Functional Materials: Graphene
Carbon-based materials include graphite, graphene, activated carbon, carbon cloth
and nanotube, and magnetite carbons
Graphene is the world’s thinnest (∼ 0.34 nm) material with no compromise in its robustness.
Based on Functional Properties
- Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Thermal/Magnetic
Mechanical: Shape-memory polymer used in actuators. Dielectric elastomers
deform under electric fields for soft robotics. Self-healing materials repair
damage
Electrical: Piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials used in sensors.
Conductive polymers and perovskites offer high charge mobility for
photovoltaics and memristors. Triboelectric variants produce voltage via
friction, powering nanogenerators.
Optical: Photovoltaic materials like perovskites, electrochromic and
photochromic types, Photoluminescent polymers emit light for displays and
LEDs.
Thermal/Magnetic: Thermoelectric materials convert heat to electricity, ideal
for waste heat recovery. Ferrofluids respond to magnetic fields for seals and
dampers. Phase-change materials store/release thermal energy by
transitioning states.
Electronic Devices
Photovoltaics LED & Display
Photodetectors & IR Camera Piezoelectric
Quantum Devices Superconductors
Power Electronics Thermoelectric