In this blog post, we will examine how materials engineering has played a key role in the development of industry and civilization, encompassing various fields such as metals, polymers, and ceramics.
The name “materials engineering department” is unfamiliar to most people. Freshmen admitted to the materials engineering department often hear questions like, “What do you study in your department?” or “So, what is this fried food made of?”
The name “Department of Materials Science and Engineering” is quite unfamiliar. Of course, food ingredients are also materials, but freshmen cannot be expected to know about food ingredients, and they are completely unrelated to the fields actually covered in materials science and engineering. Originally, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering was formed by combining several majors, including inorganic engineering, metallurgical engineering, and polymer engineering.
Although it is not certain, the reason why it is sometimes called the “Department of Materials Engineering” and sometimes the “Division of Materials Engineering” is likely due to this. The Materials Engineering Department can be broadly divided into three fields: metals, polymers, and ceramics. Metals study metals such as iron and steel, polymers study the synthesis processes and methods of polymers, and ceramics study ionic compounds.
Although these three fields appear different, they all share the common goal of studying materials that exist in nature and improving their performance. In other words, the difference between materials engineering and other engineering fields lies in the fact that materials engineering seeks to improve existing materials and apply them to new applications. For example, in the field of metals, researchers study new alloy ratios to increase the durability of steel or develop materials that do not deform even in high-temperature environments. In the field of polymers, various studies are conducted, such as increasing the strength of plastics and developing environmentally friendly biodegradable polymers. In the field of ceramics, research is being conducted to develop ceramic materials that can withstand high temperatures for use in the aerospace industry.
However, the difference between materials engineering and other engineering fields is that “materials” are the foundation of many inventions in modern civilization. Therefore, materials engineering is often referred to as a major that applies to almost all fields. For this reason, materials engineering can be considered a major that encompasses all academic fields. In order to develop materials that are suitable for a specific engineering field, it is necessary to accurately understand the structure of that field, its current issues, and the items that are needed. For this reason, materials engineers require a wide range of knowledge, from basic sciences to applied fields, and they serve as a bridge between these two areas.
To maximize the desired properties of materials, both macroscopic and microscopic understanding is necessary. While material property evaluation is conducted at the macroscopic level, these properties are determined by the material’s microstructure and manufacturing processes. Therefore, the Materials Engineering Department requires a broad perspective, encompassing courses that address the microscopic aspects of materials as well as those that evaluate material properties from a macroscopic viewpoint. Through this process, materials engineering students develop practical problem-solving skills through various research and experiments.
The fact that the Department of Materials Science and Engineering covers such a wide range of fields is both an advantage and a disadvantage for materials engineering students. While it may be difficult to decide on a career path, it also allows students to flexibly adapt to their desired fields or emerging fields. Therefore, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering does not have a distinct identity as a department in the undergraduate program. While naval architecture aims to design ideal ships and mechanical engineering focuses on efficient mechanical structures, materials engineering has such a broad scope that the undergraduate program emphasizes learning the foundational disciplines necessary before a specific goal is established. In graduate school, students then set specific goals and apply the foundational knowledge to develop the desired material properties.
Another important role of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is the development of materials for a sustainable future. As environmental problems and resource depletion become more serious, materials engineers are focusing on developing recyclable materials, energy-efficient materials, and materials that minimize their impact on the environment. This demonstrates that materials science and engineering is not merely a field that meets industrial demands but also a discipline that fulfills its social responsibilities.
As mentioned earlier, the name “materials engineering” may be unfamiliar to many people, but materials engineering has been with humanity since the dawn of civilization. After discovering fire, humans entered the Stone Age, followed by the Neolithic Revolution, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. Since then, humans have been striving to create better materials by observing and controlling microstructures. As can be seen from the fact that historians divide history into the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age, the development of human civilization and the development of materials have gone hand in hand. Looking ahead, it is easy to predict from human history that the development of materials engineering will be essential to support the advancement of basic sciences and cutting-edge industries such as IT and space.
The future of materials engineering is very bright. In particular, it has great potential to drive new innovations through convergence with nanotechnology. Nanomaterials can be used to develop stronger and lighter materials, which can be applied to various fields such as medicine, electronics, and energy. Materials engineers are continuously researching, acquiring new knowledge, and advancing technologies to prepare for this future. As a result, materials engineering will play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of human life and achieving sustainable development.
