1. Introduction: nanoscience and technology: what, why and how - observation, measurement
and manipulation at the nanoscale.
2. Concepts of bottom-up nanotechnology: syntheses of colloidal nanocrystals - self-assembly
as a construction principle.
3. Physical properties of nanoscale materials: electronic energy levels in nanostructures -
quantum confinement - optical properties of quantum dots.
4. Quantum transport: tunneling - single-electron tunneling and Coulomb-blockade - tunneling
spectroscopy - electron counting - the quantization of conductance.
5. Nanoscale devices: the single-electron transistor.
FINAL competences:
1 Students can explain the rationale of nanoscience and technology and discuss the main
1 trends in bottom-up nanotechnology.
2 Students understand colloidal nanocrystals in terms of synthesis, stability and processing.
3 Students have insight in self-assembly as a bottom-up approach to nanostructures.
4 Students can explain why material properties may depend on particle size.
5 Students can relate quantum confinement to the physical properties of semiconductor
1 nanocrystals.
6 Students understand quantum transport by tunneling.
7 Students can relate Coulomb-blockade to single electron tunneling and understand the
1 functioning of devices based in this effect.
8 Students can discuss about the quantization of conductance.
9 Understand can read, assess and discuss current scientific literature on colloidal
1 nanocrystals.
