Course Objectives

This course is intended to provide graduate level engineers and scientist with a basic understanding of surface metrology.  Metrology is compactly defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as a) A system or series of measures b) the science of weights and measures; thus, surface metrology is the science of measuring surfaces.

     Over the last decade numerous technological advances have made it possible to measure and study surfaces at increasingly greater levels of resolution and accuracy (nm size length scales).  There exist a conceptual unity between these atomic scale measurements and the meter size measurements made by surveyors and Geomaticist (a nine order of magnitude length scale difference).  The course is divided into three distinct portions: (1) measuring techniques and the equipment (2) the mathematics and science of surface characterization (3) The causes and impacts of roughness.  Engineers and scientist will be able to collect and characterize surface roughness data, as well as interpret and describe its impacts on performance.

Textbook
Rough Surfaces 2^nd Edition, by Tom Thomas. Imperial College Press
ISBN# 1-86094-100-1

Class Schedule
M,W,F   Weil 279   Period 7

Course Outline

I     Introduction
      A    The Scale of Things
      B      Geomatics and Surveying
      C      Coordinate Metrology 
            i      Coordinate measuring machines
            ii      Form and Shape errors
      D      Dimensioning and Geometric Tolerancing

II    Rough Surfaces
A    Causes of Roughness
      B      Measuring Techniques
            i      Early Instruments
            ii      Stylus Instruments
            iii      Optical Instruments
            iv      Scanning Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy
      C    Data Acquisition and Surface Discretization
      D   Sources of Measurement Uncertainty

III  Surface Characterization
      A      Amplitude Parameters
      B    Spatial Parameters
      C      Characterization of Three Dimensional Surfaces
      D      Functional Surface Parameters (Surface Bearing Index, Fluid Retention Index, etc…)
      E      Specification and Associated Engineering Drawing Symbols

IV      Applications: The impact of roughness.

      Bioengineering, Contact Mechanics, Electrical Phenomena, Fluid and Mass Transport, Friction, Lubrication, Machining, Noise and Vibration, Thermal Phenomena, Wear, Zoology (Surface adaptations in nature).

Course Policy

Textbook
Rough Surfaces 2^nd Edition, by Tom Thomas. Imperial College Press
ISBN# 1-86094-100-1

Website and Message Board
http://www.me.ufl.edu/tribology

Homework
Four homework sets will be assigned and graded. At least one week is given for the completion of a homework set. The purpose of the homework is to aid in learning the material. To this end some collaboration among students in preparing the homework is acceptable. However, in the main, the work should be primarily yours. In an effort to increase the value of the homework, solutions will be posted on the internet the day after it is due and discussed in the next available class period. Because of this tight timeline, late homework will not be accepted.

Exams
There will be two examinations, a midterm and a final examination; these tests are open notes closed text.

Grading
Homework is 40%, the mid-term exam is 30%, the final exam is 40%.

Attendance and Class Participation
I consider attendance mandatory, and good class participation will be given consideration during the determining of final grades.

Academic Integrity
As is understood by the vast majority of students, our basic relationship is based on trust; I have never encountered a problem in this area. Please familiarize yourself with the Student Guide, the honor code, and the implied pledge - which accompanies all work submitted for credit.