Carbon Materials & Manufacturing Course | IIT Mandi | Prof. Swati Sharma
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 88 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 17 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Future of Materials: A Deep Dive into Carbon Materials and Manufacturing
In an era defined by technological advancement, carbon-based materials stand at the forefront of innovation. From the ultra-strong composites in aerospace to the revolutionary biosensors in healthcare, carbon is the element shaping our future. To bridge the gap between fundamental science and industrial application, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi offers a comprehensive 12-week postgraduate course, Carbon Materials and Manufacturing, instructed by the esteemed Prof. Swati Sharma.
About the Course Instructor: Prof. Swati Sharma
Bringing a wealth of global experience, Prof. Swati Sharma is an Assistant Professor in the School of Engineering at IIT Mandi. Her expertise is rooted in an impressive academic and research journey:
- Education: M.S./Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine, USA, specializing in carbon-based miniaturized sensors.
- Professional Background: Former scientist at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Freiburg, Germany, and research scientist at Ranbaxy Research Laboratories.
- Research Focus: Her primary research encompasses carbon-based biosensors, flexible electronics, bioelectronic medicine, and sustainable carbon manufacturing from urban solid waste.
- Publication: Author of the seminal book "Carbon for Micro and Nano Devices" (DeGruyter, 2024), which serves as a key resource for this course.
Course Overview and Objectives
This advanced course is meticulously designed to provide a holistic understanding of carbon materials through a unique "material-manufacturing pair" approach. It delves into the intimate relationship between the preparation methods, structure, and resulting properties of various carbon forms, equipping students to design and engineer materials for specific device applications.
Intended Audience: Advanced B.Tech./M.Tech./M.E./Ph.D. students and professionals from Materials Science, Manufacturing, and Energy Sciences.
Prerequisites: A basic undergraduate course in Material Science or Structure of Materials.
Industrial Relevance: This course holds significant value for industries involved in manufacturing carbon-fiber composites, graphene, carbon nanotubes, activated carbon, and other advanced carbon materials.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The curriculum is structured to build knowledge from fundamental concepts to advanced applications and characterization.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Introduction to carbon, its atomic structure, hybridization, and a comprehensive study of allotropes like diamond, graphite, and carbyne. Understanding carbon phase diagrams. |
| Week 3-5 | Engineering carbons: From natural graphite processing to synthetic production. Deep dive into polymer-derived carbons, glass-like carbon, and their microfabrication techniques. |
| Week 6-8 | Industrial carbons: Manufacturing and properties of activated carbon and carbon black. Comprehensive study of carbon fiber production (melt spinning, electrospinning), carbonization, and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP). |
| Week 9-10 | Carbon composites (C/C, C/metal) and nanocarbons: Crystal structure, history, and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) of graphene and carbon nanotubes, including defect analysis. |
| Week 11-12 | Advanced characterization (XRD, Raman, TEM, gas adsorption) and applications. Focus on micro/nano-scale devices, flexible electronics, and the industrial supply chain for carbon materials. |
Key Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Classify carbon allotropes and explain their structure-property relationships.
- Detail industrial manufacturing processes for graphite, carbon fibers, activated carbon, and carbon black.
- Understand synthesis techniques for nanocarbons like graphene and carbon nanotubes.
- Select appropriate characterization methods (Raman, XRD, TEM) for analyzing carbon materials.
- Design and comprehend the challenges in fabricating rigid and flexible carbon-based devices.
- Navigate the supply chain and large-scale industrial applications of carbon materials.
Essential Course Material
The course is anchored by the instructor's own authoritative text:
Book: Carbon for Micro and Nano Devices, by Swati Sharma, DeGruyter, 2024.
ISBN: 978-3-11-062062-7
Link: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110620634/html
Why Enroll in This Course?
This course is more than an academic module; it's a gateway to the cutting-edge of material science. Led by an expert with direct industry and research experience, it offers:
- Practical Knowledge: Direct correlation between material synthesis and final device performance.
- Sustainability Angle: Insights into obtaining high-value carbon from waste, a crucial area for sustainable manufacturing.
- Career Advancement: Highly relevant knowledge for careers in composites, nanotechnology, electronics, and energy sectors.
Whether you aim to advance in academia, R&D, or industrial manufacturing, Carbon Materials and Manufacturing provides the foundational and applied knowledge necessary to excel in the dynamic field of advanced carbon materials.
Enroll Now →