Diffusion in Solids Course | IIT Hyderabad | Materials Science | Prof. Mayur Vaidya
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 15 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering, Materials Joining, Minor in Materials Science |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/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 Fundamentals of Diffusion in Solids with IIT Hyderabad
Diffusion is the silent orchestrator behind countless material processes—from the hardening of steel to the functioning of semiconductor devices. Understanding this fundamental phenomenon is crucial for any aspiring materials scientist or engineer. This detailed blog introduces a premier 12-week course, Diffusion in Solids, offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) and taught by the distinguished Prof. Mayur Vaidya.
About the Instructor: Prof. Mayur Vaidya
Leading this course is Prof. Mayur Vaidya, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad. A recognized expert in the field, Prof. Vaidya brings exceptional academic and research credentials:
- PhD from IIT Madras on diffusion in high-entropy alloys.
- Recipient of the prestigious Young Scientist Award from the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).
- Authored 28 research publications with over 1700 citations and an h-index of 17.
- Featured in Stanford University's Top 2% Scientists list for 2022 and 2023.
- Awarded Research and Teaching Excellence Awards (2023) by IIT Hyderabad.
His deep expertise ensures the course content is both foundational and at the cutting edge of research.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of diffusion, blending theoretical concepts with practical applications. It is tailored for Undergraduate and first-year Postgraduate students in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Mining Engineering, and related fields.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Grasp the fundamental concepts and mathematics behind diffusion in solids.
- Understand atomic-scale diffusion mechanisms and correlation effects.
- Learn to solve diffusion equations and analyze concentration profiles.
- Explore the Kirkendall Effect, interdiffusion, and Darken's equations.
- Gain hands-on experience with computational tools like DICTRA for simulating diffusion-controlled processes.
- Study experimental techniques for measuring diffusion coefficients (e.g., Radiotracer, SIMS, EPMA).
- Apply diffusion principles to various material classes: metallic alloys, semiconductors, ionic solids, glasses, and advanced materials like High-Entropy Alloys.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Introduction, Fick's Laws, Mathematical tools (Laplace Transform), Solutions to Diffusion Equations. |
| Week 3-4 | Atomic-scale view: Crystal Defects, Random Walk, Atomic Mechanisms, Correlation Factors, Temperature & Pressure Dependence. |
| Week 5-6 | Interdiffusion Fundamentals, Phase Diagrams, Boltzmann-Matano Method, Kirkendall Effect, Intrinsic Diffusion. |
| Week 7 | Computational Diffusion: Introduction to CALPHAD, Thermocalc, and DICTRA for homogenization and moving boundary problems. |
| Week 8-9 | Experimental Techniques: Radiotracer, SIMS, EPMA, Mechanical Spectroscopy. Grain Boundary & Dislocation Diffusion. |
| Week 10-12 | Diffusion in Advanced Materials: Nanocrystalline materials, Intermetallics, HEAs, Semiconductors, Ionic Solids, and Glasses. |
Who Should Enroll & Industry Relevance
Intended Audience: This course is ideal for UG/PG students in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering (Materials Joining), and related disciplines seeking a strong foundation in materials kinetics.
Industry Support: The curriculum is highly relevant to major industries engaged in materials design and processing. Key supporting industries include:
- Tata Steel, JSW, Hindalco (Metals & Alloys)
- General Electric, Eaton, Kennametal (Advanced Manufacturing)
- TCS Engineering, Sandvik (Engineering & Materials)
- Government Labs: DMRL, ISRO, BARC, IGCAR
Recommended Textbooks
To complement the lectures, Prof. Vaidya recommends two authoritative texts:
- Mehrer, H. Diffusion in Solids: Fundamentals, Methods, Materials, Diffusion-Controlled Processes. Springer, 2007.
- Paul, A. et al. Thermodynamics, Diffusion and the Kirkendall Effect in Solids. Springer, 2014.
Why Take This Course?
Diffusion is a cornerstone of physical metallurgy and materials engineering. This course offers a rare opportunity to learn from an award-winning expert actively contributing to the field. The unique blend of continuum theory, atomic mechanisms, hands-on DICTRA simulations, and coverage of advanced materials makes this program exceptionally comprehensive. Whether you aim for a career in industry (R&D, processing) or academia, mastering diffusion will provide a significant competitive edge.
Enroll in Diffusion in Solids to build a robust understanding of one of the most critical rate-controlling phenomena in materials science and engineering.
Enroll Now →