What is Materials Research?
Materials Research is defined by the broad intersection of many disciplines with materials science & engineering (MS&E), including physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and other engineering disciplines that naturally converge in the pursuit of understanding the properties of materials and the phenomena they host. Materials are abundant and pervasive, serving as critical building blocks in technology and innovation. This research impacts life and society, as it shapes our understanding of the world and enables significant advances in electronics, communications, transportation, and health-related fields.
About the Science
Materials science and engineering explores the basic structure, properties and behavior of materials — down to the molecular, atomic and even subatomic levels — to create goods that benefit society. Researchers in this field study a broad array of materials, ranging from the familiar, like silicon, glass, concrete, metals and plastics, to the exotic, like biomaterials and wholly new "designer materials" that are configured one atomic layer at a time.
What Do Materials Scientists Do?
- Determine the structure of materials.
- Devise ways of processing materials, i.e., creating materials, transforming existing materials, and making useful things out of them.
- Measure properties of materials.
- Think about how a material is suited to the purpose it serves already and how it can be enhanced to give better performance.
MRS's Thought Leadership Series
MSERF: Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Innovation - University of North Florida
Enabling the Future Through Materials Science and Engineering - University of Arizona
Science & Engineering Innovations for Terrestrial & Space Domains at the Point-Of-Need, Baylor University
Videos From the World of Materials Research
Careers in Materials Research
