materials science

Materials science studies the structure, properties, and development of novel materials with specialized applications. Such materials include exotic metals and alloys, ceramics and glasses, semiconductors and superconductors, polymers, composites, biomaterials, and new materials produced using nanotechnological techniques.

Term source
jce
preview image with text:"A Demo A Day IV - Demonstrations and Props Used in Materials Chemistry Class"
Demo A Day IV
// Friday, February 2, 2024 • Dean Campbell
Dean J. Campbell, Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois
quantum levitation
Quantum Levitation and Superconductors
// Thursday, June 3, 2021 • Tom Kuntzleman
I was mesmerized the first time I saw the quantum levitation (also known as quantum locking) experiment, in which a disk containing a superconductor hovers above some magnets. The superconductor can even glide freely over a track of magnets – even upside down (VIDEO 1).
Blue Morpho Butterfly Wings
The Blue Butterfly Effect
// Monday, January 28, 2019 • Tom Kuntzleman
The June, 2018 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education contains an article tha
JCE cover for January 2019
Especially JCE: January 2019
// Sunday, January 13, 2019 • Erica K. Jacobsen
The Journal is a jumping-off point. When I read even a finely crafted activity, I know there are going to be tweaks I will need to make to use it. Maybe it’s because of what I do (or don’t) have in my science supply stash. Maybe it’s because my curriculum plan focuses only on a certain concept, so I plan to pull just a piece of the activity.
Kevlar structure and Batman
How Chemistry Helped Batman: Kevlar - A short review
// Wednesday, September 19, 2018 • Andrea Amato
I’ve always been fascinated by advanced polymeric materials; it’s amazing how materials that are generally considered “plastics” have such stunning properties. I recently watched a couple of movies about Batman and it came out that some of his devices and protections are made of advanced polymers. In particular, the suit is almost entirely made of Kevlar.
Scrub Daddy Sponge
Scrub Daddy Science
// Wednesday, January 3, 2018 • Tom Kuntzleman
Scrub Daddy is a cleaning supply that was invented by Aaron Krause1 and is sold as America’s Favorite Sponge.2 After being featured on ABC’s television show Shark Tank, Scrub Daddy has gone on to be Shark Tank’s most successful product, selling over 10 million products and generating $50 million in sales.3