BBE 5404 -- Changes

Wed Dec 8 11:29:16 2010

Effective Term: New:  1119 - Fall 2011
Old:  1109 - Fall 2010
College: New:  TIOT - College of Science and Engineering
Old:  TIOT - Institute of Technology
Course Title Short: New:  Biopolymers & Biocomp Eng
Old:  Bio-based Composites Eng
Course Title Long: New:  Biopolymers & Biocomposites Engineering
Old:  Bio-based Composites Engineering
Catalog
Description:
New:  This class provides students with an understanding of the structure and properties of biopolymers and the engineering of composites from these biopolymers and/or plant-based materials.
Old:  Properties of bio-based composites.
Editor Comments: New:  Course Name Change from Bio-based Composites Engineering to Biopolymers & Biocomposites Engineering.
Old:  Changing Prerequisites: BBE 4303, BBE 5303, AEM 3031, Grad student or #
Proposal Changes: New:  Course Name Change from Bio-based Composites Engineering to Biopolymers & Biocomposites Engineering.
Old:  Changing Prerequisites: BBE 4303, BBE 5303, AEM 3031, Grad student or #
Provisional
Syllabus:
Please provide a provisional syllabus for new courses and courses in which changes in content and/or description and/or credits are proposed that include the following information: course goals and description; format/structure of the course (proposed number of instructor contact hours per week, student workload effort per week, etc.); topics to be covered; scope and nature of assigned readings (texts, authors, frequency, amount per week); required course assignments; nature of any student projects; and how students will be evaluated.

The University policy on credits is found under Section 4A of "Standards for Semester Conversion" at http://www.fpd.finop.umn.edu/groups/senate/documents/policy/semestercon.html . Provisional course syllabus information will be retained in this system until new syllabus information is entered with the next major course modification, This provisional course syllabus information may not correspond to the course as offered in a particular semester.

New:  BBE 5404: BIOPOLYMERS & BIOCOMPOSITES ENGINEERING
3 Credits; Fall Semester

Course Syllabus

Class time:        Tue, Thu: 10:15-11:30 am in 302 Kaufert Lab

Pre-requisites: BBE/CSE graduate students or instructor⿿s consent

Course Description

        This class provides students with an understanding of the structure and properties of biopolymers and the engineering of composites from these biopolymers and/or plant-based materials.
        Students will learn about the sources, synthesis, physico-chemical properties, applications, and degradation of biopolymers.  They will also learn about the use of biopolymers and other plant-based biomaterials including cellulosic nanomaterials, agro-fibers, and wood for composites.  Using principles of polymer science, mechanics, and adhesion, students will learn to engineer and predict properties of various bio-based composites including nanocomposites, biofiber-plastic composites, and adhesive-bonded laminated and particulate composite panels.

Student Learning Outcome

Upon successful completion of the class, students are expected to advance towards attaining the following Student Learning Outcomes in which they:

1.        Can identify, define, and solve problems
How specifically: You will learn to identify problems associated with the limitations of biopolymers in competing with petroleum-based polymers.  You will obtain the knowledge to define the extents of these limitations by learning the synthesis-structure-property relationships of biopolymers. You will learn the common practices to solve the biopolymer limitations through structural and processing modifications, blending of additives, and incorporation of reinforcing elements through composite technology.  
How to evaluate: Homework assignments and course examination will evaluate students⿿ understanding of the synthetic methods and structural effects of polymers, and ability to extend this knowledge in modifying properties of biopolymers and in material selection for specific applications.

2.        Can locate and critically evaluate information
How specifically: You will learn how and where to find values of properties and elastic constants for various polymers and wood species, and critically evaluate the use of these values based on the moisture content, temperature, alignment of the load sustaining elements and also on the configuration of these elements in a composite assembly.  You will also critically evaluate how these properties relate to the properties of the resulting composites. You will also learn how to search the literature database for a topic on bio-based composite characterization, critically evaluate the data presented, and extract useful information of selected properties of composites.
How to evaluate: Short quizzes will assess students⿿ ability to identify the categories of biopolymers and primary axes of wood.  Homework assignments and course examinations will evaluate students⿿ ability to engineer and predict laminate composites and hybrid composites. The last of the examinations will test students⿿ ability to employ micromechanics to compute properties of biofiber/plastic composites and nanocomposites. A specially designed question set will evaluate students⿿ critical evaluation of selected literature readings.

3.        Have mastered a body of knowledge and a mode of inquiry
How specifically: You will acquire the ability to apply the knowledge of materials engineering, mechanics computation, and chemical science to understand the structure, properties, processing, and performance of bio-based composite products.  You will be able to design composites for a desired set of property and be familiar with the standards and tools for testing the properties.
How to evaluate: A term project will be assigned that examines students⿿ ability to engineer density and mechanical properties through composite formulation, to calculate these properties from tests performed using the ASTM Standard, and to compare data of prediction and experiments.

4.        Can communicate effectively
How specifically: You will communicate, interact, and work effectively in a team to accomplish tasks in composite engineering. You will also obtain (reinforce) the skills to communicate effectively in writing your interpretation of the data.
How to evaluate: The overall composite material design and property verification of each group will be evaluated.  Individual reports will be assessed, using a grading rubric, for presentations of ideas and effectiveness in writing.

Evaluation and Grading:

This class (BBE 5404) is the graduate level of BBE 4404 class. Both classes will meet together. Students of BBE 5404 will be given an extra homework assignment (critical evaluation of literature), and also one different question in the exam.  The assessment methods and their respective contributions to the final grade are as follows:
3 Exams @ 20% each:        60%
Homework &/or quizzes:        25%
Special project:        15%

References:

Bastioli, Catia. 2005.  Handbook of Biodegradable Polymers. Rapra Technology Limited, Shawbury, UK. ISBN 1-85957-389-4
Bodig, Jozsef and Benjamin A. Jayne, 1993.  Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites, Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL.  ISBN 0-89464-777-6
Callister, William D. Jr., 2003.  Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 6th Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY.  ISBN 0-471-13576-3
Herakovich, Carl T., 1998.  Mechanics of Fibrous Composites, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY.  ISBN 0-471-10636-4
Rowell, Roger M., Raymond A. Young, and Judith K. Rowell, 1997.  Paper and Composites from Agro-based resources, CRC Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL.  ISBN 1-56670-235-6
Rowell, Roger M., 2005.  Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites, Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL.  ISBN 0-8493-1588-3
Stevens, E. S. 2002.  Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics.  Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ. ISBN 069104967X
Wool, Richard P and Xiuzhi Susan Sun. 2005.  Bio-based Polymers and Composites.  Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego, CA.  ISBN 0-12-763952-7
Young, Robert J. and Peter A. Lovell, 1991.  Introduction to Polymers 2nd Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.  ISBN 0-7487-5740-6

Lecture Outline
Week        Lecture topic
1        Chemical nature of polymers; introduction to bio-based and biodegradable polymers

2        Starch-based and other polymers derived from plant biopolymers

3        Polyhydroxyalkanoates: polymer produced by bacteria
4        Polylactic acid from bioderived monomers
5        Biopolyethylene and biopolyurethanes: conventional polymers from biomass     Exam 1
6        Plant materials as load sustaining element in biocomposites: influence of moisture, specific gravity, and alignment
7        Nanomaterials from biomass; plant materials as nature⿿s engineered composites
8        Engineering of biofiber-plastic composites and bio-based nanocomposites
9        Engineering of fiber/polymer interphase in biocomposites     Exam 2
10        Engineering of laminate composites from timber and veneers
11        Engineering of biocomposites in hybrid with other materials
12        Engineering of flake and particle composite boards from wood and agro-fibers
13        Prediction and control of in-service degradation and performance durability of biocomposites
14        Biodegradation and end-of-life options for bioplastics and biocomposites
15        Exam 3

Old:     BBE 5404: BIO-BASED COMPOSITES ENGINEERING
3 Credits; Fall Semester

Course Syllabus

Lectures:        Tue, Thu: 10:15-11:30 am in 302 Kaufert Lab

Instructor:         William Tai Yin Tze � 206 Kaufert Lab; wtze@umn.edu; 612-6242383

Course Description

        The class provides students with a fundamental understanding of the engineering of bio-based composites and the properties of the composite materials.  
        Students will learn about the use of renewable bio-based resources for composites, including adhesive-bonded laminated veneer composites (e.g. plywood), thermally consolidated particle composites (e.g. strandboard and particleboard), thermoplastic matrix composites (e.g. wood-plastic composites), and bio-nanocomposites.  Students will learn the design and processing aspects of bio-based composites by taking into consideration the unique structure and material properties of wood and biofibers.  Using principles of polymer science, mechanics, and adhesion, students will learn to engineer and predict properties of various bio-based composites.
        In addition to lecture, students will undertake a special project on the design, making, and property testing of bio-based composites.

Students� Learning Outcome
Upon successful completion of the class, students are expected to advance towards attaining the following Student Learning Outcomes in which they

1.        Can identify, define, and solve problems
How specifically: You will learn to identify the effects of moisture content, specific gravity, and grain angle on the mechanical properties of wood. You will obtain the skills to define the extents of these effects by learning the predictive equations that adjust the mechanical properties measured at one condition to the properties at another condition. You will also acquire the ability to solve the variability issue of wood through composite technology.
How to evaluate: Homework assignments and course examination will evaluate students� understanding of moisture, specific gravity, and grain angle effects, and ability to extend this knowledge in adjusting mechanical properties of wood and in controlling these properties in constituted composites.

2.        Can locate and critically evaluate information
How specifically: You will learn how and where to find values of elastic constants for various wood species, and critically evaluate the use of these constants based on the cutting or comminuting patterns of the wood elements and also on the configuration of these elements in a composite assembly.  You will also acquire the skill to locate scientific publications for thermal and mechanical properties of polymers, and critically evaluate how these properties relate to the mechanical properties of the resultant composites. You will also learn how to search the literature database for a topic on biobased composite characterization, critically evaluate the data presented, and extract useful information regarding selected properties of composites.

How to evaluate: Short quizzes will assess students� ability to identify the three primary axes of wood from a given cutting or comminuting operation.  Homework assignments and course examinations will evaluate students� ability to engineer and predict laminate composites (plywood, laminated veneer lumber, glulam) and hybrid composites (I-beam). A class activity will test students� appreciation of the role of plasticization on mechanical properties of bioplastics. The last of the examinations will test students� ability to employ micromechanics to compute properties of biofiber/plastic composites and nanocomposites. A specially designed question set will evaluate students� critical evaluation of selected literature readings.

3.        Have mastered a body of knowledge and a mode of inquiry
How specifically: You will acquire the ability to apply the knowledge of materials engineering, mechanics computation, and chemical science to understand the structure, properties, processing, and performance of bio-based composite products.  You will be able to design composites for a desired set of property, conduct experiments, use relevant tools for composite fabrication and testing, and analyze data for verifying predictions.
How to evaluate: A term project will be assigned that involves a series of class activities, each with a specific unit operation ranging from material preparation to composite fabrication and testing. These class activities will examine students� ability to engineer density and mechanical properties through composite formulation, to perform ASTM standard and calculations for mechanical properties and swelling, to summarize, analyze, and compare data for boards made with different formulations.


4.        Can communicate effectively
How specifically: You will communicate, interact, and work effectively in a team to accomplish tasks in composite fabrication and testing. You will also obtain (reinforce) the skills to communicate effectively your interpretation of the data in writing.
How to evaluate: A session will be held to examine the overall data compiled and computed from the term project mentioned in Item 3. Students will be evaluated from the completeness of the data that their group is responsible for. An overall individual report will assess, using a grading rubric, students� idea presentation and writing effectiveness.

Evaluation and Grading:

This class (BBE 5404) is the graduate level of BBE 4404 class. Both classes will meet together. Students of BBE 5404 will be given an extra homework assignment (critical evaluation of literature), and also one different question in the exam. The assessment methods and their respective contributions to the final grade are as follows:

3 Exams @ 20% each:        60%
Homework &/or quizzes:        25%
Special project:        15%

Note: During the course, samples of student works (homework, exams, reports, etc.) will be collected and used for the purpose of evaluation and program accreditation. Student names and ID numbers will be blacked off from copies of sample works to ensure anonymity.

Necessary Materials: Scientific calculator

References:

Bodig, Jozsef and Benjamin A. Jayne, 1993.  Mechanics of Wood and Wood Composites, Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL.  ISBN 0-89464-777-6
Callister, William D. Jr., 2003.  Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 6th Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY.  ISBN 0-471-13576-3
Herakovich, Carl T., 1998.  Mechanics of Fibrous Composites, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY.  ISBN 0-471-10636-4
Marra, Alan A., 1992.  Technology of Wood Bonding: Principles in Practice, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY.  ISBN 0-442-00797-3
Myers, Drew, 1991.  Surfaces, Interfaces, and Colloids, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, NY.  ISBN 1-56081-033-5
Rowell, Roger M., Raymond A. Young, and Judith K. Rowell, 1997.  Paper and Composites from Agro-based resources, CRC Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, FL.  ISBN 1-56670-235-6
Rowell, Roger M., 2005.  Handbook of Wood Chemistry and Wood Composites, Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton, FL.  ISBN 0-8493-1588-3
Young, Robert J. and Peter A. Lovell, 1991.  Introduction to Polymers 2nd Ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.  ISBN 0-7487-5740-6

Academic Integrity: Dishonest behavior is not tolerated and will be addressed in accordance with the Student Conduct Code. Submission of false records of academic achievement; cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing; altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; taking, acquiring, or using test material without faculty permission; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honor, award, or professional endorsement. (See the University of Minnesota�s more comprehensive published standards for scholastic conduct)

Disability Services: The instructor will take reasonable measures to provide equal access to information for all students. Students with documented disabilities are encouraged to contact the instructor so that necessary provisions can be made.



BBE 4404/5404: Lecture Outline

Week        Lecture topic
1        Overview of bio-based composites.  Plant materials as nature�s engineered composites and as adherends; adhesion and adhesives for bio-based composites
2        Mechanical properties of plant-based materials: moisture- and specific gravity-adjustment and coordinate transformation
3        Viscoelastic properties of plant materials and thermoplastics for bio-based composites
4        Micromechanics for composite components
5        Spillover and Exam 1
6        Engineering of laminate composites (plywood, laminated veneer lumber, and glulam)
7        Engineering of hybrid composites (I-beam and wood reinforced with synthetic materials)
8        Engineering of particulate composites (oriented strand board, particleboard, fiberboard)
        Spring break
9        Engineering of biofiber-plastic composites and nanoparticle-reinforced composites
10        Spillover and Exam 2
11        Engineering of interfaces and interphases of bio-based composites
12        Prediction and control of hygroscopicity, swelling, and shrinkage of bio-based composites
13        Prediction and control of in-service degradation and performance durability of bio-based composites
14        Using composites as a tool for promoting forest and biomass sustainability; environmental impact and recyclability of bio-based composites
15        Exam 3




Updated: July 1, 2010