Materials in chemistry and physics

Target Group

PhD students of the Doctoral Schools of Natural Sciences and (Bioscience) Engineering.

Organizing & Scientific Committee

Spokesperson

Prof. Dr. Jonathan Leliaert
Faculty: Sciences
Department of Solid State Sciences
E-mail: Jonathan.Leliaert@UGent.be

Other members of the organising & scientific committee

prof. Anna kaczmarek [Dept. of Chemistry, Ugent]
prof. Diederik Depla [Dept. of Solid State Sciences, Ugent]
prof. Jolien Dendooven [Dept. of Solid State Sciences, Ugent]
prof. Iwan Moreels [Dept. of Chemistry, Ugent]

Abstract

The specialist course in material chemistry and physics consists of a series of lectures, given with the aim to let the students overcome the confines of their own research topic and explore this broad and interdisciplinary field. The invited experts are all working at the forefront of this research topic but are also selected for their didactic qualities.

Topic and Objectives

Topics

The course is focused around the following three topics:

1. Synthesis:
   - Chemical synthesis of (nano)materials
   - Growth of thin films
2. Characterization:
   - Using photons and electrons in material analysis
   - Optical, electronic and magnetic properties of materials
3. Applications
   - Energy storage and conversion
   - Applications of nanoparticles

For each topic, two 3-hour sessions are organized (6 in total), consisting of 2 lectures followed by a discussion between lecturers and student, guided by a chair.

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to give the students a broader overview of materials chemistry and physics, such that they can better place their own research in the bigger picture and learn where there might be synergies between their own
research and adjacent research topics. This will not only be achieved through the first-hand accounts of the expert lecturers but also through the discussions afterwards in which the lectures can go in debate with each other and the students. The poster session at the end of the school gives the students the opportunity to share their own research and learn about the research of their peers in the different departments whose research fits within the topic of this school.

Dates and Venue

Dates: startdate 22 October 2025  → 30 June 2026. All dates will be communicated on the Ufora course page
Venue: To be announced

Registration

Registration deadline is 01 november 2025. Please follow this link. 

Registration fee

Free of charge for Doctoral School members

Number of participants

Max 50 participants

Language

English

Evaluation methods and criteria

The following criteria must be met to complete the course successfully:

Attendance of at least 4 of the 7 sessions.

All lectures will be recorded and the students who were unable to attend one of the sessions will have the opportunity to view the lecture afterwards.

After successful participation, the Doctoral Schools will add this course to your curriculum in Oasis. Please note that this takes up to one to two months after completion of the course.