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Materials Science & Engineering: An Exciting Career Field for
the Future
We are constantly reminded that we live in a world that is both
dependent on and limited by materials. Everything we see and use
is made of materials derived from the earth: cars, airplanes,
computers, refrigerators, microwave ovens, TVs, dishes, silverware,
athletic equipment of all types, and even biomedical devices such
as replacement joints and limbs.
All of these require materials specifically tailored for their
application. Specific properties are required that result from
carefully selecting the materials and from controlling the manufacturing
processes used to convert the basic materials into the final engineered
product. Further, we now read about exciting new product developments
that are possible only through new materials and/or processing.
New technologies developed through engineering and science will
continue to make startling changes in our lives in the 21st century,
and people in Materials Science and Engineering will continue
to be key in these changes and advances. These engineers deal
with the science and technology of producing materials that have
properties and shapes suitable for practical use. Materials include
metals, ceramics, polymers (plastics), semiconductors, and their
combinations called composites. The activities of these engineers
range from primary materials production, including recycling,
through the design and development of new materials to the reliable
and economical processing/manufacturing for the final product.
Such activities are found commonly in industries such as aerospace,
transportation, electronics, energy conversion, and biomedical
systems.
The future will bring ever increasing challenges and opportunities
for new materials and better processing. Materials are evolving
faster today than at any time in history. New and improved materials
are an "underpinning technology" - one which can stimulate innovation
and product improvement. Many applications are limited by the
operating constraints imposed by the properties or behavior of
the materials available. Higher quality products result from improved
processing and more emphasis will be placed on reclaiming and
recycling. For these many reasons, most surveys name the materials
field as one of the careers with excellent future opportunities.
Why the excitement about the future for the materials field? The
materials field offers unlimited possibilities for innovation
and adaptation. While much attention is being focused on developing
metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites with improved properties,
the ability to actually engineer, or create, materials to meet
specific needs is just now being realized. This engineering can
be carried out at the atomic level through the millions of possible
combinations of elements. It can also be done on a larger scale
to take advantage of unique composite properties that result from
microscopic-scale combinations of metals, ceramics and polymers,
such as in fiber reinforcement to make a graphite fishing rod
or, on a slightly larger scale, for steel-belted radial tires.
Finally, it can be practiced on an even larger scale with bridges,
buildings, and appliances.
Because of the increasing number of exciting materials discoveries,
and the impact and influence of materials on an ever-greater number
of critical manufacturing and processing industries, the field
will play a major role in the competitive global economy. With
the developing ability to engineer materials, we have greater
potential to make needed improvements and usher in an exciting
new phase in the Materials Age.
Distributed by the Career Resource Center for Materials Science
& Engineering.
A copy of this booklet can be obtained by contacting
TMS - The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society,
or by sending e-mail to crc@tms.org
Site related questions or comments? Contact crc@tms.org
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