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Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan

  MSE / Research / Projects / AtomLab: An Open Source MATLAB Environment for Instruction Regarding Atomic Processes in Materials

AtomLab: An Open Source MATLAB Environment for Instruction Regarding Atomic Processes in Materials
Application: Nanotechnology
Technique: Computation

This project resulted in the creation of AtomLab, a MATLAB based learning environment for use in introducing concepts regarding atomic scale physics in materials. AtomLab was designed to be utilized at three different levels of instruction. In graduate and upper division undergraduate classes in the emerging area of computational materials science AtomLab served as a platform for designing algorithms for research at the atomic scale. In undergraduate Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) classes AtomLab was used as a demonstration tool and conceptual workbench. In the required introductory engineering programming class (Engineering 101) AtomLab will find application as a customizable simulator. By providing a computer based learning environment suitable for students at many levels of sophistication, the final product has been designed to provide a versatile way for teaching at the intersection between nanoscience and computation in the College of Engineering.

The following basic college priorities have been addressed by this endeavor:
• Development of innovative graduate curriculum that crosses disciplinary boundaries.
• Increasing computation in the undergraduate curriculum outside of traditional programming classes.
• Improving student satisfaction and retention in first-year classes by providing a more engaging learning environment.

The project has enhanced student learning by:
• Visually presenting fundamental concepts on the atomic scale, thereby increasing student comprehension.
• Actively engaging students in activities that complement lecture and assigned reading.
• Concentrating student attention on algorithmic thinking and concepts in scientific computation by circumventing the complication of programming in a compiled language.
• Motivating student engagement in their required core programming class by introducing cutting-edge engineering methodologies to the first-year curriculum.
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