Syllabus academic year 2007/2008
PROJECT ENGINEERING AT THE NANOSCALEFAF052

Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: UG. Level: G2 (First level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. Compulsory for: N3. Course coordinator: Professor Fredrik Höök, fredrik.hook@ftf.lth.se, Fysik, kurslaboratoriet. Prerequisites: Compulsory courses of the first two years of the program Engineering Nanoscience. Assessment: The examination is based on a written analysis of an innovation picked up from running research activities or from a recently published scientific article. The relation between the innovation and two - three related patents is also analyzed. In the written report, an analysis is made with respect to differences between patents and scientific articles. The students are also encouraged to formulate a fictive or real claim based on the idea that they have analyzed. The analysis is presented during a seminar, in which another group acts as opponent. If needed, and agreed on, the shared information is handled with secrecy agreements. Further information: The project is conducted by two - four students working together. Home page: http://www.teknisknanovetenskap.lth.se.

Aim
The prime aim of the course is to gain knowledge regarding the development of commersial products and processes. An idea, either picked up from running reaserch activities at LU/LTH or from a scientific article engaging a nanotechnology application is analyzed with respect to the possibility to file a patent and develop a product. The students will learn how to find information in patent databases, and gain knowledge reagrading how patents are written and evaluated.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

understand and have knowledge about the art of developing new commercial products and processes.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to:

• find information in both patent and litterature databases

• analyze the content of patents and compare it with the conent of related scientific articles.

• understand the basics in patent writing and the requirent for getting a patent accepted.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

have gained knowledge about entrepreneurial activities and an understanding about various aspects of relevance for engineers when active in industry or academia.

Contents
The student will evaluate the possibilities and various aspects of commercializing an idea/innovation. The lectures illustrates different moments related to innovation processes, product desig, patent issues, financing, environmental- and ethical issies and start up. The work will result in a written an oral report which is presented at a symposium

Literature
Relevant material will be distributed at beginning of the course.