MATSE 81
Materials In Today's World

Summary and Final Tasks

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Summary

Anthropologists, archeologists, and historians use the level of materials development (Stone Age, Bronze, Iron Age) to designate the stages of societal development. In today’s society, materials and materials development continue to shape development and advancement. In this lesson you were introduced to the important overarching themes of this course:

  • materials scientists investigate the relationships that exist between the structures and properties of materials
  • materials engineers design the structure of a material to produce a predetermined set of properties
  • structure and properties are interlinked
  • processing, structure, properties, and performance are interconnected
  • environment, wear, and economics are three important criteria for materials selection
  • classical classification of materials (metals, ceramics, and polymers, as well as, composites)
  • and the advanced materials classification used in modern high-tech applications.

We will utilize the important concepts introduced in this lesson throughout the rest of the course.

Reminder - Complete all of the Lesson 1 tasks!

You have reached the end of Lesson 1! Double-check the to-do list on the Lesson 1 Overview page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Lesson 2.