Billy Ray D.

Sales
ES 300

BS EE 3rd Year
June 18, 2014

Historical Background of Material Science and Engineering

The material of choice of a given era is often a defining point. Phrases such as Stone
Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Steel Age are great examples. Originally deriving from the
manufacture of ceramics and its putative derivative metallurgy, materials science is one of the
oldest forms of engineering and applied science. Modern materials science evolved directly
from metallurgy, which itself evolved from mining and (likely) ceramics and the use of fire. A
major breakthrough in the understanding of materials occurred in the late 19th century, when
the American scientist Josiah Willard Gibbs demonstrated that the thermodynamic properties
related to atomic structure in various phases are related to the physical properties of a material.
Important elements of modern materials science are a product of the space race: the
understanding and engineering of the metallic alloys, and silica and carbon materials, used in
the construction of space vehicles enabling the exploration of space. Materials science has
driven, and been driven by, the development of revolutionary technologies such
as plastics, semiconductors, and biomaterials.
Before the 1960s (and in some cases decades after), many materials
science departments were named metallurgy departments, from a 19th and early 20th century
emphasis on metals. The field has since broadened to include every class of materials,
including ceramics, polymers,semiconductors, magnetic materials, medical implant materials,
biological materials and nanomaterials (materiomics).

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Example products:
1. Sun screen By using nanoparticles of zinc oxide instead of bulk particles, the cream
becomes more transparent.
2. Self-cleaning glass A product called Pilkington Activ glass incorporates nanoparticles
to keep the glass clear of debris. Upon contact with the suns rays, the nanoparticles
break down unwanted organic particles that have accumulated on the glass. Rain then
washes the remains away.
3. Scratch-resistant coating By adding aluminium silicate nanoparticles to the coating ,
scratch-resistant surfaces become even more effective.
Processing:
Manufacturing is attributed to an engineering field. For nanomanufacturing, we must go
beyond engineering. Once we approach the atomic-scale precision and control, fundamental
physics and chemistry have to be applied. The nanoscale manufacturing is multidisciplinary,
involving but not limited to mechanics, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and
biomedical engineering. The future view of nanomanufacturing is the integration of engineering,

science and biology. This complex task requires not only innovative research and development
themes, but also a new education system for training future scientists and engineers.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Materials_science
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/nanotechnology-products
http://www.nanoscience.gatech.edu/zlwang/research/nano.html#2