Materials science has driven the development of technologies such as plastics, semiconductors, and biomaterials.

The basis of modern materials science involves relating the desired properties of a material in a certain application to the structure of the atoms, ions, or molecules that make it up. The structure and properties of a material are determined by the particles that make it up and the way in which it has been processed into its final form.

Assignment

1. Choose a modern, synthetic material.
2. Research its molecular structure: which inter- and intra-molecular forces are involved? How do they lead to the material’s bulk properties? Refer explicitly to topics covered in this course (eg. geometry of bonds, intermolecular forces, crystal packing).
3. Research the application, impact, and setting (historical, technological) of the material.
4. Prepare a comprehensive, concise, interesting, and informative pamphlet/brochure
5. Complete the rubric with commentary as to your allocated mark (you will be self-evaluating this assignment)

Here’s a starter list of possible materials:

Polymers (eg. Kevlar, Teflon, Nylon, conductive polymers, PET, PE, PP, PVC, ABS, etc…)
Composites (eg. graphite, concrete); Alloys; Ceramics (eg. for space shuttle, in dental fillings);
Biomaterials (eg. artificial hips, blood vessels, lenses, etc);
Nanomaterials (eg. nanocrystals, buckyballs); Photoactive materials (eg. dyes, sunscreen)
Superconductors (eg. in MRI machines or mag-lev trains); Semiconductors
Others (eg. aerogels, nanotubes, the nanovalve, OLEDs, …).

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