Numbers, Symmetries and Groups
This module aims to provide an introduction to axiomatic reasoning in mathematics, particularly in relation to the perspective adopted by modern algebra. Properties of the standard number systems will be developed. The abstract definition of a group will be motivated by a number of concrete examples. Standard results in the theory of groups will be proved rigorously. Applications of group theory in geometry will be stressed.
Interdisciplinary Science Near Space Student Document
Near Space is an introduction to some of the scientific concepts of the global climate system, and to the concept of anthropogenic climate change. In this module we will look at physical, chemical and biological influences on the climate.
Interdisciplinary Science Evolution Student Document
Evolution by Natural Selection is the fundamental theorem of the biosciences, and it is a concept
which is increasingly applied to other areas including computing, economics and statistics. This
module aims to introduce the fundamental concept of evolution by selective adaptation and then to analyse an in-depth example of evolutionary change.
Renewable resource exploitation: fishery regulation: lecture slides
Lecture slides for an Introduction to Resource Economics course, taught by Aaron Hatcher, of the University of Portsmouth in 2008. Available in PDF format.
What is econometrics for? - Introductory Handout
This short handout contributes to the motivation/introduction of an econometrics module. It takes students through the key features of a published example of applied econometrics.
Natural resource exploitation: basic concepts: lecture slides
Lecture slides for an Introduction to Resource Economics course, taught by Aaron Hatcher, of the University of Portsmouth in 2008. Available in PDF format.
TALAT Lecture 1100.01: Introduction: Aluminium, a Light Metal
This lecture provides basic information about the history of aluminium, the principles behind the production of primary metal, environmental properties, potential applications, areas of application. The lecture is recommended for those situations, where a brief, general background information about aluminium is needed as an introduction of other subject areas of aluminium application technologies. This lecture is part of the self-contained course "Aluminium in Product Development", which is trea
TALAT Lecture 3204: The Freezing of Castings
This lecture provides an introduction to solidification theory; it aims at achieving an essential background understanding of solidification and cast structures. Basic knowledge of the solidification of metals is assumed.
TALAT Lecture 2110.02: Product information structure, business concept and LCA
This lecture gives a brief introduction to the product information structure, a sustainable business concept and Life Cycle; it presents the product and process "Generic Code" - the chromosomes; it generates interest about the concept of "Know Your Product", "Life Cycle Logistics", "Universal Virtues" and "Material/Component Hierarchical Structure" and their use creating a sustainable business concept; it imparts knowledge about Life Cycle Assessment. Some familiarity with QFD (Quality Functions
TALAT Lecture 3208: The Finishing of Castings
This lecture provides an introduction to some of the finer points in the production of high quality castings. The students will be able to understand the various processes for sealing porosity in badly made castings and to appreciate factors influencing the accuracy of castings, including a basic understanding of how to control and measure casting dimensions. Basic understanding of the foundry industry is assumed.
TALAT Lecture 3201: Introduction to Casting Technology
This lecture provides an introduction to the techniques used to produce castings and to the range of castings produced; it aims at gaining an appreciation of the production and application of castings.
TALAT Lecture 1201: Introduction to Aluminium as an Engineering Material
This lecture provides an introduction to metallurgical concepts necessary to understand how structural features of aluminium alloys are influenced by alloy composition, processing and heat treatment, and the basic affects of these parameters on the mechanical properties, and hence engineering applications, of the alloys. It is assumed that the reader has some elementary knowledge of physics, chemistry and mathematics.
TALAT Lecture 3207: Solidification Defects in Castings
This lecture provides an introduction to the causes and remedies of the main solidification defects in castings. The students should be able to diagnose the major defects in castings and propose methods of preventing them. Basic knowledge of physics and foundry practice is assumed.
Cavity formation in a tensile loaded alumina particulate composite
Horizontal stringers of fine oxide particles can be seen, parallel to the extrusion direction (horizontal). Under the tensile load, voids have nucleated at the interface between the matrix and the reinforcement particles, and some particle fracture has also occurred. Most voids form on planar faces normal to the tensile load (horizontal), and particularly where stringers of fine oxide particles also intersect the interface. These stringers provide interfacial flaws which may then be preferential
Fracture surface in a liquid crystalline polymer, oriented by a magnetic field
Above their melting point, liquid crystalline polymers exhibit a mesophase within which, although able to flow and are not arranged in a crystal, they exhibit long range orientational order. This molecular alignment can be exploited to make high strength and stiffness fibres such as Kevlar, or even mouldable thermotropics such as Vectra. Molecular alignment can also be controlled by an external applied field; a property exploited in liquid crystal displays. This polymer has been subjected to a m
The grain structure of extruded aluminium
The extrusion process leads to the elongation of grains. This micrograph shows a longitudinal section with the extrusion direction lying horizontal. Some large subgrains (or groups of subgrains) are apparent, and some high angle boundary migration has occurred normal to the extrusion direction. Grains near the extrudate centre have a lower aspect ratio.
Fe, C 0.8 (wt%) steel, eutectoid transformation, spheroidised
This steel is of the eutectoid composition. Once the temperature is lowered below the eutectoid temperature, the austenite phase tends to undergo a eutectoid transformation (γ to α + Fe3C). The resultant microstructure, known as pearlite, comprises alternate lamellae of cementite and ferrite. Subsequent to casting, the alloy was normalised (annealed) just below the eutectoid temperature, in order to induce the carbides to take a spherical appearance, which results in the steel becoming softer
Slip by dislocation glide
Animation of slip by dislocation glide. Dislocation glide allows plastic deformation to occur at a much lower stress than would be required to move a whole plane of atoms past another. See also the bubble raft experiment (videos 17 and 18). From TLP: Introduction to dislocations, http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/doitpoms/tlplib/dislocations/dislocation_glide.php
Anisotropic dielectric permittivity: tetragonal-cubic phase transition in barium titanate
A thin section of barium titanate is viewed between crossed-polars, Initially, the sample is below the transition temperature, and since the domains of the anisotropic tetragonal phase exhibit birefringence, it is brightly coloured when viewed between crossed-polars. When the sample reaches the transition temperature, the isotropic cubic phase forms, which appears black. From TLP: Introduction to Anisotropy, http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/doitpoms/tlplib/anisotropy/dielectric.php
Anisotropic thermal conductivity in quartz: parallel to c-axis section
A section of quartz cut parallel to the c-axis being heated from a point at its centre. An ellipse shows that the thermal conductivity in this plane is direction-dependent. From TLP: Introduction to Anisotropy, http://www.msm.cam.ac.uk/doitpoms/tlplib/anisotropy/thermal.php
