tomorrow’s Materials
schools edition
Contents
Welcome to Tomorrow’s Materials
You can use this booklet in four ways
1) to understand materials and the way they are used
2) to understand how the products we use are changing
3) to get better at choosing materials in your designing and making
4) to design products for the future
This booklet describes the way materials have been used,
are being used and will be used in the following areas:
2 4 6 8 10
12
14
16
18
20
Bicycles
Sports Materials
Packaging
Sensors
Biomedical Implants
Electricity
Aircraft
Lighting
Telephones
Exploration
Additional sections:
22 23 24
25
26
27
28
29
Glossary: Manufacturing Processes
Glossary: Properties of Materials
Glossary: Classes of Materials
Useful Contacts
Acknowledgements
Image Sources/Credits
Higher and Further Education Courses
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
This booklet has been published by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining,
with support from Alcoa Foundation
2
Past
Bicycle technology formed the basis for the early aircraft industry
Wooden frames
Drawn and bent steel tubing frames
Solid rubber tyres
Present
Frame materials:
Steel – strong but heavy; cheap
Aluminium – light but relatively weak; prone to fatigue
Titanium – for improved wear resistance
Carbon fibre composite – stiff and light
Pneumatic tyres
Precipitation-hardened aluminium wheels
Elastopolymer gel saddles
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights
Bicycles
There are nearly 1.5 billion bicycles in the world – one for every four people.
Bicycles provide mobility without significantly damaging the environment.
heetah
Future
Windc
Key Materials Developments
Future Technologies
New frame materials:
Anodised magnesium alloy
Lithium-aluminium alloys
Beryllium alloys
Hybrid vehicles: pedal and solar-powered
Computer-controlled gears
Recyclability
New frame structures:
Carbon fibre monocoque
Carbon fibre beam frame
Smart shock absorption systems:
Giant magnetoresistance sensors
Piezo actuators
Silicon nitride ceramic composite bearings
New bonding techniques
3
Past
Tennis rackets – wooden with small heads
Golf clubs – wooden, small solid heads and heavy solid shafts
Vaulting poles – hickory (solid), bamboo (hollow) and aluminium (hollow)
Bicycles – steel (heavy)
Hockey sticks – wooden
Swim wear – cotton and rubber
Present
Tennis rackets – carbon fibre composites (CFRP) with large heads
Golf clubs – titanium alloy heads (hollow) and CFRP or steel shafts (hollow)
Vaulting poles – glass fibre and carbon fibre composite designed for individual athletes
Bicycles – titanium alloy, CFRP
Hockey sticks – CFRP
Swim wear – Lycra-polyester blend (‘sharkskin’)
Racing cars
Carbon kevlar composite bodyshells and suspension systems
Hardened titanium alloy gears
Cast aluminium engines
Metal matrix compsites
Nomex clothing
Economic Benefits of UK Sports Industry
Over 30 million active participants
£8 billion annual turnover
4
Sports Materials
Future
New materials for sports equipment and sportswear can have a dramatic
impact on performance. Developments in sports materials can spin off into
everyday products.
Key Materials Developments
Design changes to improve performance and safety
Custom designed composite laminates for increased stiffness, strength and toughness and low weight
Yacht masts and vaulting poles with embedded optical fibre strain sensors
Predictive computer modelling of material structures
Selection of materials and design to control vibrations e.g. in tennis rackets to minimise tennis elbow
Active damping, e.g. for skis, using piezoelectric ceramics
5
Economic Benefits of UK Packaging Industry
More than 2,000 packaging companies, many small (<20 people)
Employs 100,000 people
Value £10bn per year
Provides critical support to UK food & drinks industry:
18% total UK manufacturing workforce, exports £8.8bn worth of
food annually, world leader in quality, choice, packaging innovation
Key Materials Developments
6
Glass bottles and jars
Aluminium milk bottle tops
Waxed paper
Cardboard boxes
Paper bags
Soldered and welded three piece
tinplate cans with paper labels
Polyethylene bottles and boxes
Present
Past
Low-cost printable polymer/paper electronics
Barrier polymers and nanocomposites
Smart inks and smart materials
Sustainable polymers from plants
Nanotechnology
Biomimetics (learning from nature)
Toughened lightweight glass
Paper polymer aluminium laminates
Injection-moulded plastic components
Tamper-evident closures
Blown thermoplastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles
Shaped aluminium cans
Lightweight two piece tinplate cans with high quality metal decoration
Easy-open ends
Flexible polymer films
Water soluble detergent capsules
Packaging
Future
Modern packaging materials help to maintain the quality of foods, drinks,
medical products and other goods, as well as making them attractive to
consumers. Today, manufacturers are seeking to develop materials
which have additional functions, and which can be readily recycled.
Plastic glass
Superlightweight metal/polymer laminate containers
Biodegradable and biocompostable polymer containers
Oxygen scavenging and antimicrobial flexible polymer films
Packaging with added functionality (intelligent packaging):
Self-heating and cooling containers, time-temperature/freshness indicators, full/empty indicators
Responsive packaging to consumer presence, mood or touch (smart packaging):
Self-opening (on command!) containers, aroma-positive packaging, animated cereal boxes
Package labels incorporating miniature radio frequency chip to uniquely identify container product source and history,
confirming authenticity
Smart labelling and shelving to control stock levels (no more out-of-stock shelf items) and eliminate supermarket queues
Edible packaging
7
Sensing From Space
Remote-sensing satellites have played a great part in alerting us
to environmental changes on Earth, as well as conditions on other
planets. They are also useful for:
geological prospecting, leading to the discovery
of new mineral deposits.
Sensing reflected sunlight to detect land-use
Detection atmospheric gases
Sensing gravitational and magnetic fields, for
geological exploration
Radar sensing of changing sea-levels and melting
of icecaps and glaciers
Nanosensors
8
Switches detecting mechanical changes
Variable resistors (manganin wire or carbon)
Light dependent resistors (LDRs)
Radar using microwaves
Thermocouples for measuring
temperature differences
Crystal and carbon microphones
Bimetallic strips as temperature sensors
Present
Past
Nanotechnology makes use of devices which may consist of just
a few atoms, far too small to see with a conventional microscope.
Individual atoms are moved about, using the tip of an atomic
force microscope.
Nano-accelerometers detect sudden deceleration of a car
and release the safety airbags.
Complex natural smells and flavours are analysed using
nanosensors in the food industry.
Piezoelectric crystals (e.g. quartz) for ultrasound detection
Cadmium sulphide crystals for light sensing
Boron-doped silicon p-n junction for light sensing
Thin film tin dioxide gas microsensors for car exhaust
and air quality monitoring
Smoke detection using alpha radiation from americium
Metal oxide thermistors sense temperature rises in blood
sugar monitors used by diabetics
Strain gauges sense bending and stretching of bridges
and other structures
Shape-memory effect alloys change shape at a
predetermined temperature
Nitinol wires allow electrical control of mechanical devices
Future
Sensors
Smart sensors will detect undesirable changes and take action to compensate for them
Wireless interconnection of sensors will lead to ‘sensornet’ technology
Window panes become tinted in bright sunlight
Smart car bumpers detect the proximity of other cars or obstacles
Radio-frequency identification devices (RFIDs) monitor the life history of products
Electronic pets respond to their owner’s commands
In the future, nanosensors will detect complex molecules in the breath for disease detection
Nanosensors in astronauts’ blood cells will detect exposure to radiation or to infectious agents
Buckyballs (C60 molecules) and carbon nanotubes and nanowires will form the basis of
Nano-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (NEMS)
9
UK Successes in Biomedical Materials
Development of first successful joint replacements in the 1960s
Ceramic coatings exported around the world
UK development of novel polymers and degradable materials
UK-led artificial organ research
Economic Benefits
Annual turnover: £1.8bn
Annual exports: £350m
8% spent on R&D
More than 25,000 people employed
10
Only joint replacements
1,000 operations per year
Non-reactive implant materials: metal and polymer
Artificial joint life – 10 years
Present
Past
Artificial joint, 1970
Soft and hard tissue replacement
External and internal systems
250,000 operations per year
Joints perform better, and for longer
Wide range of materials:
Artificial bone materials
Hydrogels – corneal lenses
Polymer/ceramic composites for skull repair
Polymers for heart valves
Shape memory alloys for stents
Biodegradable polymers for plates and screws
Ceramic coated metal for hips
Metals and polymers for knees
Biomedical Implants
At some time in our lives, most of us will need to have materials put into our
bodies – even something as simple as fillings in our teeth. Such materials are
now cleverly designed to give many years of safe, useful service.
Future
Artificial skin (SPL)
Key Materials Developments
Materials for sensors
Intelligent wound dressings
Artificial tissues and organs
New materials allowing direct cell growth
Drug-release membranes
Silicon chip implants
Miniature power sources
Personal health monitors
11
Past
Copper wiring
Porcelain insulators
Rubber insulation
Mechanical switching
Present
More flexible wiring
Polymer insulation
Solid state switching
Power Generation
Diversity of supply:
Combined-cycle gas-turbines
Hydroelectricity
Combined heat and power
Pumped storage
Waste combustion
Power Distribution
Aluminium and steel composite high-voltage lines
High-power, low-loss transformers with iron-silicon alloy cores
Computer control to match supply and demand
12
Electricity
Future
Generating electricity from fossil fuels is a major source of greenhouse
gases responsible for climate change. Today, materials technologies have
the potential to make a big impact on reducing CO2 emissions through
more efficient generation, distribution and use of electricity.
Key Materials Technologies
Computer design of materials with desired properties
High-temperature, high-strength nickel-based alloys for more efficient turbines
Nuclear waste immobilisation
Liquid electrolyte fuel cells for short-term storage and release
Solid oxide fuel cells
Plastic solar cells
High-temperature superconductors
Carbon dioxide sequestration
13
Present
Past
1950
Airframe: aluminium, steel
Wing area: 90m2
Range: 2,700km
Passengers: 72
Speed: 350 miles per hour
Engines: Steel 1,000°C temperature, 107kN thrust
Key Materials Developments
New and improved high temperature materials, advanced lightweight
materials, advanced electronic materials, and “smart” materials.
Wing area: 845m2
Range: 14,800km
Passengers: 555
Maximum operating Mach number: 0.89
Engines: 311kN thrust, fan 2.95m diameter
Aerospace - a Success Story
£22.29 billion sales globally annually, 61% of UK product exported, 122,000 UK employees
14
Aircraft
Future
Future
In 1903 Orville Wright travelled 120 feet in 12 seconds in the first ever
human powered flight. Today, aviation is an exceptionally dynamic, safe
and technological industry. It is one of the UK’s greatest success stories,
contributing millions to the national economy.
Key Materials Developments
Substantially more economic replacement for heavier, older aircraft.
Increased performance capabilities will be achieved by the introduction of substantial technical and manufacturing innovations.
Composites and innovative new materials will be used to incorporate a high percentage of lightweight structural materials,
such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and aluminium-lithium alloys. For example, the A350 wing will be largely
manufactured using CFRP and will deliver exceptional low and high-speed efficiency thanks to cutting-edge design and
manufacturing techniques.
Improved manufacturing and assembly techniques will provide additional weight reduction, while adding structural
durability and decreasing maintenance costs.
Range: 13,900km
Passengers: 285
Images courtesy of Airbus SAS
15
Past
Carbon or tungsten filaments
Glass bulbs, evacuated or filled with nitrogen, argon
Mercury discharge lamps
Present
Swan filament lamps 1878-1879
10-20% of all electricity consumption is for lighting
Solid state LED indicator lamps
Tungsten filament lamps
Compact fluorescent tubes for ‘low energy’ high efficiency lamps
High pressure sodium street lighting
LED traffic lights and cycle lamps
Lasers
Produce a narrow, concentrated beam of light of a single wavelength (colour).
Used in: telecommunications, medicine, precision engineering and holography
LEDs
High energy efficiency
Durability
Colour control
Small size
16
Lighting
Future
21% of the UK’s electricity is used for lighting, but most of that energy is
wasted as heat. New materials technologies could save most of that wasted
energy, and dramatically reduce the production of greenhouse gases.
High-efficiency white LEDs could mean:
Over 80% of lighting costs saved
Fewer power stations
Fossil fuels saved
Reduced carbon emissions to the atmosphere
Key Materials Developments
New semiconductor materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) for LEDs
New phosphor materials to convert ultraviolet light to white light
Violet LEDs for cancer diagnosis
Tuneable solid state lasers
17
Past
Analogue signals
Copper wiring
Electromagnetic switching
Present
Today’s Telephone Network
Digital signals
Microwave and optical fibre links
Geostationary satellite links
Automated electronic exchanges
Video-conferencing
Broadband Internet access
18
Today’s Mobile Phones
Silicon chip miniaturisation
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs)
Rechargeable batteries: Nickel-metal hydride, Lithium-ion
Satellite phones for remote locations
In-built cameras
Location-based services
3-D displays
Video clips
Music
Telephones
Future
Today, there are over 1 billion mobile phones and a similar number of
land-lines around the world. In Finland, 98% of 18 to 24 year-olds own
a mobile phone. The telephone system is the world’s largest machine.
Future Mobile Phones
Lighter, longer-lasting batteries
Global positioning (GPS) technology
Video-conferencing
Multi-player gaming
Streaming digital video and television
Personal organiser
Voice-recognition or touchpen input
Higher resolution screens
Key Materials Developments
Lithium-polymer batteries
Fuel cell batteries
Light-emitting polymer displays with extended lifetimes
Polysilicon displays integrating electronics and display
19
Past
The Beagle (1830s)
Materials
Wood – for the hull and masts; light, strong and stiff
Brass and bronze – for fittings and equipment; strong and corrosion resistant
Hemp – for ropes; strong natural fibre
Canvas – for sails; from cotton, a strong, natural fibre
Maximum speed: 20 miles per hour
Distance travelled: 50,000 miles
Size: length 41m, height 32m
Maximum weight: 246,000kg (payload: Darwin’s instruments 130kg)
Temperatures: -20°C to +40°C
Present
British Antarctic Survey
20
Materials
Aluminium alloys – for the body shell; light and corrosion resistant
Steel – for structural parts; stiff and strong
Sandwich panels – making the most of the properties of steel and aluminium alloys
Maximum speed: 272 miles per hour
Distance travelled: range 1,300 miles
Size: wingspan 28.4m, length 24.6m
Maximum weight: 19, 731kg (payload 5,511kg)
Temperatures: -50°C to +35°C
Exploration
Since the first modern humans emerged in Africa, people have spread
around the world, looking for new places to live and new resources to
make use of. Today, spacecraft explore the solar system.
Future
Rosetta comet lander
Rosetta Comet Lander
Due to land on Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko in November 2014
Maximum speed: 38,000km per hour
Maximum distance from Earth: 1,000 million km
Materials: carbon fibre polygonal sandwich
Mass: 100kg (experimental payload 21kg)
Surface temperature: -150°C to -50°C
Key Materials Developments
A small saving in weight of a lander can lead to a very large reduction in the fuel, and hence the size of the rocket, needed
to get it to another planet. Development of low density materials will enable the design of small, lightweight robotic explorers.
Advanced composite materials; light yet strong enough to withstand launch, re-entry and landing loads, and heating
Advanced aluminium, beryllium and titanium alloys; light yet stiff and strong
Improved gallium arsenide solar cell technology; makes better use of weak energy from the Sun on distant planets
Lightweight lithium ion batteries to store energy from solar cells
More efficient insulation to protect instruments from extreme temperatures
Better semiconductor devices to provide smaller, lighter computers, cameras and sensors
21
Glossary
Some Manufacturing Processes
Arc Welding
Grinding
The joining together of two metals in which a continuous
electric spark (arc) jumps from a metal rod to the join line
where two parts meet. The high temperature melts the end
of the rod and material on either side of the join to form a
welded joint. A welded joint is generally stronger than either
a soldered or brazed joint.
The work piece is given a high standard of finish by the
application of a grinding wheel made from hard abrasive
materials (such as silicon carbide and diamond) rotating
at high speed. Also used for rapid rough machining, i.e.
metal removal.
Injection Moulding
Assembling
A fluid plastic is forced under pressure into a hollow container
(a mould) and takes on the shape of the mould. The fluid
material becomes solid and is set in the shape of the mould.
The fluid material may be thermoplastic granules that are
heated before injection or a thermosetting resin.
The putting together of a product from component parts
using mechanical fixings, adhesives or heat treatment.
Brazing
The joining together of two metals by heat using a copper
alloy as the adhesive. The heat melts the copper alloy (but
not the two metals) and on cooling solidifies joining the pieces
of metal firmly together. A brazed joint is often stronger than
a soldered joint but weaker than a welded joint.
Blow Moulding
A tube of hot thermoplastic is inserted into the mould. The
two halves of the mould close sealing the pipe and cutting
off the excess plastic. Compressed air is forced in, expanding
the plastic to extremities of the mould. The finished product
is cut off from the pipe and the mould opens. Used
extensively in the manufacture of plastic bottles.
Casting
A molten (liquid) material is poured into a hollow container
( a mould) and takes on the shape of the mould. On cooling
the molten material becomes solid and is set in the shape
of the mould.
Diecasting
A casting process in which molten metal is forced under
pressure into a mould. The application of pressure results
in good surface finish and detail.
Extrusion
A heated material is forced through a die to form either
a solid rod or hollow tube that is drawn off by rollers and
cooled. The material may be molten thermoplastic such
as nylon or a metal such as aluminium.
Etching
The surface of the work piece is treated with a masking
material leaving some areas exposed and some covered
(or masked). The exposed areas are attacked by a corrosive
solution that eats away the material according to the placing
of the masking material. This process is used in the
manufacture of printed circuit boards and micro machines.
Forging
A method of shaping metal and increasing its strength
by hammering and pressing. In the iron and steel industry
heated steel pieces are squeezed and hammered into
shape by die tools operating at forces ranging from a few
hundred to many thousands of tons.
22
Milling
The work piece is fed against a rotating cutting tool which
cuts grooves and other shapes into the surface of the material.
Press Forming
Press forming involves the use of hard, shaped metal
blocks (dies) under high pressure to produce 3D forms
from flat sheet metal.
Sawing
The work piece is fed against a reciprocating or rotating
toothed blade, band or disc that cuts into the material.
Sintering
The fabrication of objects from powdered metal by
compressing the powder into the desired shape and then
heating (sintering) to a temperature below the melting point
of the metal. The powder particles weld to form a solid.
For small components this is often more economic
than casting.
Soldering
The joining together of two metals by heat using solder
(an alloy of tin and lead) as the adhesive. The heat melts
the solder (but not the two metals) and on cooling solidifies
joining the pieces of metal firmly together. A soldered joint
is generally weaker than either a brazed or a welded joint.
Spark Erosion
The use of an electric spark to cut away intricate shapes in
a hardened metal block. Used extensively in the production
of moulds for injection moulding.
Turning
A cutting tool is held against a rotating work piece
producing shaped rods and tubes and screw threads.
Vacuum Forming
A sheet of thermoplastic is heated so that it becomes soft
and then forced over a shaped former by the application of
a vacuum to the space between the former and the plastic.
On cooling the plastic sheet sets into the shape of the former.
Glossary
Some Properties of Materials of
Brittleness
Refractive index
A brittle material breaks by snapping or cracking,
without first becoming permanently deformed.
‘Brittle’ is the opposite of ‘tough’.
The refractive index of a material is a measure of how
much the material bends a ray of light when it enters or
leaves the material.
Density
Resistance to Corrosion
A dense material has a large mass for a given volume.
Steel is denser than wood.
Many materials rot, rust or corrode when in contact with
chemicals, including water. Some materials are good at
resisting corrosion.
Ductility
A ductile material can be drawn out into a thin wire or
rolled into sheet without breaking.
Elasticity
An elastic material will return to its original size and
shape after it has been stretched or squashed.
Electrical Conductivity
A material with a high electrical conductivity is good
at conducting electricity.
Flexibility
A flexible material can be easily bent.
Hardness
A hard material is difficult to dent or scratch.
Malleability
A malleable material can be easily hammered, rolled
or pressed into shape.
Melting P oint
The temperature at which a solid material melts.
Permeability (Magnetic)
Specific Heat Capacity
A material with a high specific heat capacity needs a
large amount of heat energy to raise its temperature.
Some materials are easier to heat up than others.
The smaller the specific heat capacity, the less energy
is needed to increase a material’s temperature by an
given amount.
Stiffness
A stiff material is difficult to stretch or bend. ‘Stiff’ is
the opposite of ‘flexible’.
Strength
A strong material requires a large force to break it
Thermal Conductivity
A material with a high thermal conductivity allows heat
to travel through it easily. Heat travels more easily through
some materials than others. The smaller the thermal
conductivity the more difficult it is for heat to travel
through a material.
Toughness
A tough material is difficult to break. A lot of energy is
needed to break it. ‘Tough’ is the opposite of ‘brittle’.
It is easy for a magnetic field to pass through a
material with high permeability.
Transparency
Permittivity (Electrical)
Wear Resistance
It is easy for an electrical field to pass though a
material with high permittivity.
Light can pass through a transparent material.
A material with high wear resistance will not wear
away when it is rubbed.
Plasticity
A material is plastic if it changes shape permanently
when it has been stretched or squashed.
23
Glossary
Classes of Materials
Classes of Materials
Metals (and alloys)
Polymers (Plastics and Rubber)
Properties
good conductors of electricity and heat
show a varying amount of elasticity ( they can be stretched and then return to their original size), but then may stretch permanently (ductile) or occasionally break (brittle)
Plastics can be divided into two broad groups:
thermoplastics; those that soften reversibly on heating, and
thermosetting plastics; those that do not soften on heating.
Rubber includes natural rubber and synthetic rubber.
Examples
copper, aluminium, stainless steel (an alloy of iron, chromium and nickel)
Properties
thermosetting plastics are often hard, brittle and glassy at room temperature
thermoplastics are usually soft and pliable
rubbers are elastic
insulators of heat and electricity
Ceramics
Properties
generally hard and brittle
often stronger under compression than under tension
usually insulator of heat and electricity
resistant to chemical attack and to high temperatures
Examples
Polymethylethacrylate (acrylic) – thermoplastic, Polyamide
(nylon) – thermoplastic, Melamine-formaldehyde (formica)
- thermosetting plastic,
Polyurethane - thermosetting plastic
Natural rubber – used for car tyres and rubber gloves
Examples
china, alumina, brick
Composites
Glasses
Properties
usually hard, brittle and transparent
softening point between 650°C and 950°C
Examples
soda glass, Pyrex (borosilicate glass), glass fibres (E glass)
Semiconductors
Properties
conduct electricity slightly under certain conditions
conduct less than metals, but are not insulators
conductivity can be altered by doping with small amounts of impurities
Examples
silicion, germanium, gallium arsenide
24
Composites are materials made by combining two (or
more) materials; the idea is to benefit from the desirable
properties of all the materials. Glass fibres are stiff but very
brittle; plastics tend to be tough but easily stretched. Glass
fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) is stiffer than normal plastic
but tougher than glass.
Tungsten carbide (a ceramic) is combined with small
amounts of metal, such as cobalt, to produce a cermet
(ceramic metal) with the hardness and wear resistance
of a ceramic but ease of forming due to the presence
of the metal.
Properties
depend of the materials involved
Examples
glass-fibre reinforced plastic, concrete, chipboard, bone,
tungsten carbide tipped tools
Useful Contacts
Aluminium Federation Ltd
Broadway House, Calthorpe Road, Five Ways,
Birmingham B15 1TN
Tel: 0121 456 6108
www.alfed.org.uk
Association for Science Education (ASE)
College Lane, Hatfield AL10 9AA
Tel: 01707 267411
www.ase.org.uk
BP Educational Service
PO Box 934, Poole BH17 7BR
Tel: 01202 244041
www.cementindustry.co.uk
Institution of Civil Engineers
Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA
Tel: 020 7222 7722
www.ice.org.uk
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
1 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5DB
Tel: 020 7451 7300
www.iom3.org
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Northgate Avenue, Bury St Edmunds IP31 6BN
Tel: 01284 763277
www.imeche.org.uk
British Cement Association
Century House, Telford Avenue, Crowthorne RG45 6YS
Tel: 01344 762676
Institute of Physics
76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT
Tel: 020 7470 4800
www.iop.org
British Plastics Federation
6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JE
Tel: 020 7457 5000
www.bpf.co.uk
Institution of Structural Engineers
11 Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1X 8BH
Tel: 020 7235 4535
www.istructe.org.uk
British Rubber Manufacturers Association
6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London EC2A 3JE
Tel: 020 7580 2794
www.brma.co.uk
Malaysian Rubber Producers Research Association
Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre, Brickendonbury,
Hertford SG13 3EB
Tel: 01992 584996
Chemical Industry Education Centre
The University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD
Tel: 01904 432523
www.ciec.org.uk
Copper Development Association
5 Grovelands Business Centre, Boundary Way,
Hemel Hempstead HP2 7TE
Tel: 01442 275705
www.cda.org.uk and www.brass.org
Corus Education Resources
P.O. Box 10, Wetherby LS23 7EL
Tel: 01937 840210
www.coruseducation.com
Design and Technology Association (DATA)
16 Wellesbourne House, Walton Road,
Wellesbourne CV35 9JB
Tel: 017899 470007
www.data.org.uk
Nuffield Curriculum Projects Centre
28 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3JS
Tel: 020 7636 4612
www.nuffieldfoundation.org
Royal Society of Chemistry
Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1B 0BN
Tel: 020 7437 8656
www.rsc.org and www.chemsoc.org
The Science Enhancement Programme (SEP)
The Technology Enhancement Programme (TEP)
Allington House, 150 Victoria Street,
London SW1E 5AE
Tel: 020 7410 7129
www.sep.org.uk and www.tep.org.uk
The UK Steel Association
Millbank Tower, 21-24 Millbank, London SW1P 4QP
Tel: 0207 343 3150
www.uksteel.org.uk
Industry Supports Education
15 High St, Wilburton, Ely CB6 3RB
Tel: 01353 740389
www.schoolscience.co.uk
25
Acknowledgements
This is the second edition of Tomorrow’s Materials. It has been edited by Dr David Sang, science education consultant
and co-author of Physics of Materials (Nelson Thornes). The material for the first edition of Tomorrow’s Materials was
adapted for schools by Dr David Barlex, Senior Lecturer in Education at Brunel University and Director of the Nuffield
Design and Technology Projects, from Tomorrow’s Materials produced by the Office of Science and Technology as
part of the Foresight programme. Tomorrow’s Materials was originally conceived and prepared by a Foresight Action
Group chaired by Prof. Colin Humphreys (University of Cambridge) as a stimulus to industry to look at future market
opportunities for new, improved or lower cost materials.
The following were members of the group: Dr Gary Acres (Johnson Matthey plc), Prof. Bill Bonfield (Queen Mary and
Westfield College), Prof. Tom Foxon (University of Nottingham), Prof. Rex Harris (University of Birmingham), Dr Mike
Hicks (Rolls Royce plc), Mr Nick Otter (European Gas Turbines Ltd), Prof. Trevor Page (University of Newcastle),
Dr Peter Raynes (Sharp Laboratories European Ltd), Prof. George Smith (University of Oxford), Prof. Brian Wilshire
(University of Wales, Swansea) and Prof. Bob Young (University of Manchester and UMIST).
This edition contains further information kindly provided by Dr Claire Davis and Dr Mike Jenkins (University of
Birmingham), Dr Paul Butler (University of Oxford), Dr Stephen Bold (Sharp Laboratories of Europe) and Colin White
(MCW Technologies), Dr Timothy Slack (Airbus UK Ltd).
26
Images Sources/Credits
Cover Image
© 2003 ImageDJ Corporation
Bicycles
Electricity
Past
Past
Present
Present
Photographer: Bert Hardy/Getty Images
Cycling team on velodrome
Photographer: Mike Powell/Getty Images
Future
Supplied by AVD Windcheetah, UK
Sports Materials
Past
Cold Tennis
Photographer: Express/Getty Images
Present
Male high jumper clearing bar
Photographer: Mike Powell/Getty Images
© Digital Vision Ltd.
© Digital Vision Ltd.
Future
© Digital Vision Ltd.
Lighting
Past
Electric filament lamps made by Swan Lighting 1878-79
© Science and Society Picture Library
Present
Lights illuminating football field in urban park, night
Photographer: Gaetan Charbonneau/Getty Images
Future
© Digital Vision Ltd.
New York, Times Square, New Years Eve count down
Photographer: Jerry Driendl/Getty Images
Packaging
Telephones
Past
Past
Future
Source: Paul Butler/www.smartpackaging.co.uk
Present
Source: Paul Butler/www.smartpackaging.co.uk
Assembling Phones
Photographer: Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Present
Source: Paul Butler/www.smartpackaging.co.uk
Mobile phones at an electronics store in Tokyo, Japan
Photographer: Justin Guariglia/Getty Images
Sensors
© Sharp
Future
Past
© Science Photo Library
Future
Explorations
Present
Past
Future
Present
© Science Photo Library
The Beagle – supplied by Bartlett Library, Cornwall
© Science Photo Library
© British Antarctic Survey
Biomedical Implants
Past
Rosetta comet lander
© ESA/AOES Medialab
Present
Aircraft
1970 –
­ Hip Implant
Computer Drawing of a Body with Titanium Implants
Getty Images
Future
© Science Photo Library
Future
Past
© Airbus SAS
Present
A380
© Airbus SAS
Future
A350
© Airbus SAS
27
Higher and Further Education Courses
The following universities provide accredited
degree courses in Materials, Metallurgy and Mining:
University of Birmingham
Metallurgy & Materials
www.eng.bham.ac.uk/metallurgy/
University of Cambridge
Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy
www.msm.cam.ac.uk/index.html
University Exeter
Camborne School of Mines
www.ex.ac.uk/csm
Imperial College
Department of Materials
www.mt.ic.ac.uk
University of Leeds
Department of Materials
www.materials.leeds.ac.uk/
Department of Mineral & Mining Engineering
www.leeds.ac.uk/mining/
University of Liverpool
Materials Science & Engineering
http://dbweb.liv.ac.uk/engdept
London Metropolitan University
School of Polymer Technology
www.londonmet.ac.uk/depts/polymers
Loughborough University
Institute of Polymer Technology & Materials Engineering
www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/iptme
University of Manchester & UMIST
Materials Science Centre
www2.umist.ac.uk/material/
University Newcastle upon Tyne
Department of Mechanical, Materials
& Manufacturing Engineering
www.newcastle.ac.uk/ceam/
University of Nottingham
School of Mechanical, Materials & Manufacturing Engineering
www.nottingham.ac.uk/school4m/
School of Chemical, Environmental and Mining Engineering
www.nottingham.ac.uk/scheme/
University of Oxford
Department of Materials
www.materials.ox.ac.uk/
Queen Mary, University of London
Department of Materials
www.materials.qmul.ac.uk/
University of Sheffield
Department of Engineering Materials
www.shef.ac.uk/materials/
University of Wales, Swansea
Department of Materials Engineering
www.engineering.swan.ac.uk/material_eng.htm
The following colleges/universities are not accredited but they
do offer alternative higher / further education courses related
to Materials Science and Engineering:
University of Aberdeen
Student Recruitment & Admissions
www.abdn.ac.uk/
University of Bath
Department of Engineering & Applied Science
www.bath.ac.uk/eng-app-sci/
Brunel University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
www.brunel.ac.uk/faculty/tech/mechanical/home.htm
Heriot-Watt University
Admissions enquiries
www.hw.ac.uk
Manchester Metropolitan University
Department of Chemistry & Materials www.chem-mats.mmu.ac.uk
Napier University
Admissions enquiries
www.napier.ac.uk
University of Plymouth
Faculty of Technology
www.plymouth.ac.uk/
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Technology Admissions Centre
www.port.ac.uk/departments/faculties/facultyoftechnology/
University of St Andrews
School of Chemistry
http://ch-www.st-andrews.ac.uk/index/html
Sheffield Hallam University
Department of Materials
www.shu.ac.uk/eng/
University of Strathclyde
Department of Mechanical Engineering
www.strath.ac.uk/mecheng/
Bradford College
School of Engineering and Construction
www.bilk.ac.uk/college/depts/engcon/
Burton College
Admissions Information
www.burton-college.ac.uk/index.html
Doncaster College
Information & Guidance Centre
www.don.ac.uk
Rotherham College of Arts & Technology
Admissions & Course Information
www.rotherham.ac.uk
Further information about careers in Materials Science and
Engineering can be found at: www.materials-careers.org.uk
Further information about careers in Minerals and
Mining Engineering can be found at www.uk-rocks.net
You can perform a course /university /college search at:
www.ucas.co.uk or www.hero.ac.uk
28
The Institute of Materials,
Minerals and Mining
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) exists to promote excellence in materials science and engineering, minerals and
mining technology throughout the world. Created from the merger of the Institute of Materials and the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy
in 2002, IOM3 is a major international engineering institution which encompasses the complete materials cycle, from exploration and
extraction, through characterisation, processing, forming, finishing and application, to product recycling and land reuse. It has a
membership of over 20,000 engineers and scientists, teachers and designers employed in every sector of industry, research and
the academic world throughout the UK and more than 70 other countries.
The Institute is the world’s largest qualifying body for materials and mining technologists. A wide range of internationally recognised
membership grades are available, including one for those who are not professionally qualified, but are interested in or working with
materials or minerals and wish to benefit from the Institute’s activities.
Members receive reduced rates for these activities which include: conferences ranging from international congresses to one day seminars,
internationally respected books and journals, local UK societies with a lively programme of social and technical events, and a continuing
Professional Development Programme helping members to constantly improve their technical knowledge and professional standards.
The Institute has close links with schools and colleges and is responsible for accrediting university and college courses and industrial
training schemes. The Education Department offers teachers courses and teaching resources on materials. Many Institute publications
such as definitive textbooks are available to students at specially reduced prices. The Institute also offers a series of grants and bursaries
to encourage students, and administers events such as the UK Young Persons’ Lecture Competition.
Materials World magazine is sent free to members every month. As technology becomes increasingly specialist, this journal informs
the different disciplines within the materials and minerals field of the latest developments in technology and industry around the world.
It offers beginners and experts alike an excellent approach to the world of materials and minerals.
Contact Details
Peter Davies
Education and Accreditation
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
Doncaster Regional Office
Danum House
South Parade
Doncaster DN1 2DY
Email: Peter.Davies@iom3.org
Tel: 01302 320486
Fax: 01302 380900
Website: www.iom3.org
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Published by
This publication was made possible by a grant from Alcoa Foundation