Materials Science & Engineering

Vision

Becoming a center of excellence in higher learning, research, industrial consultancy and other relevant activities in Materials Science and Engineering.

Mission Statement

To be a center of excellence in Materials Science & Engineering by providing opportunity

  • for undergraduates and postgraduates to acquire specialized knowledge on the development and processing of engineering materials with attention to economic and environmental aspects while studying design, management and information technology
  • to conduct high-quality research to cater for national development
  • to provide consultancy services to the public and private sector in specific and society in general

What is Materials Science and Engineering?

Materials science and engineering combines multiple disciplines—engineering, chemistry, and physics—to explore the properties and behavior of materials and design and develop new, improved materials.

Why do Materials Matter?

Materials make up the world around us—the concrete in our buildings and infrastructure, the silicon in the microchips that power our computers, the fiber optic cables that connect those computers and weave together the world’s communications.
 
By understanding manipulating materials, scientists and engineers can develop new materials with enhanced properties and develop novel solutions to societal problems. Here are five important areas in which materials have an impact:

Computing and Data Science

Advances in materials have led to the miniaturization of electronics, improved energy efficiency, and the development of wearable technologies, contributing to enhanced communication, information access, and connectivity. And materials science and data science can work together to enable data-driven decision-making and predictive modeling, making it faster and easier to discover new materials.

Energy and the Environment

New materials are crucial for efficient solar cells, lightweight and durable wind turbine blades, high-capacity batteries for energy storage, and catalysts for clean energy production. These materials help reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. And environmentally friendly materials, such as biodegradable plastics and eco-friendly packaging, offer alternatives to reduce plastic waste and pollution.

Health and Medicine

Materials like titanium alloys, stainless steel, and biodegradable polymers are used in joint replacements, dental implants, and cardiovascular stents, providing patients with improved mobility and a better quality of life. New materials can also enable controlled delivery systems; tissue engineering, or growing tissues and organs; and more efficient diagnostic tools.

Manufacturing

Materials influence many aspects of manufacturing. Materials with specific properties can open new possibilities in the design and development of new products, for example. They also impact manufacturing processes—manufacturers can, for example, modify processes to suit specific materials, improving productivity and reducing waste.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Lightweight and strong materials help improve fuel efficiency in vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. Materials with superior strength and durability enhance the lifespan of infrastructure, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring safe and reliable transportation systems.

What Jobs Do Materials Scientists and Engineers Get?

Manufacture novel materials for use in consumer goods. Develop algorithms to understand materials properties at a chemical processing plant. Develop new metal alloys at an aerospace company.

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