3 answers
Nate
Student
Joliet, Montana
1
Question
Updated
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How do advancements in materials science impact the design and efficiency of mechanical systems?
I want to major in mechanical engineering, I have family members that have succeeded and would love to get recognized for it.
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3 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Nate,
Materials Science is an important part of Mechanical Engineering.
Think about aerospace and space exploration: weight is a critical issue, cost is not so important. If you can replace one material with another that is lighter, you save.
Think about turbine blades: the higher the temperature, the better the efficiency. If you can develop a material that allows higher operating temperatures, you save and reduce emissions.
Any mechanical structure requires certain mechanical properties: yield strength, fracture toughness, fatigue limit etc. If you can improve the mechanical properties, you can make an element thinner and save.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Materials Science is an important part of Mechanical Engineering.
Think about aerospace and space exploration: weight is a critical issue, cost is not so important. If you can replace one material with another that is lighter, you save.
Think about turbine blades: the higher the temperature, the better the efficiency. If you can develop a material that allows higher operating temperatures, you save and reduce emissions.
Any mechanical structure requires certain mechanical properties: yield strength, fracture toughness, fatigue limit etc. If you can improve the mechanical properties, you can make an element thinner and save.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Dennis Taylor
Self-employed
110
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Hi Nate! Your question has always been relevant to engineers. Their main task is always to make something better, lighter, more efficient, more durable, smaller, less weight....more.....you name it.
Instead of me doing the description, I'm going to challenge you: Think about these things you use in everyday life...1) airplane; 2) automobile - race car - Indy500; 3) refrigerator; 4) telephone. All had their introduction a century ago, more or less. They are all still in use today. None of them look like the original. Laws of Physics has not changed.
Our ability to analyze and understand the physical laws has improved greatly. Materials have improved. Our expectations for how the device should perform has changed. So, yes, Mechanical Engineering will utilize materials with more useful properties when it makes sense.
If you think about the refrigerator in your home: One hundred years ago, your grand-parents (or great grand-parents) might have used an ice box. You do the same thing today with your portable cooler, just to go on an outing. Cutting and storing ice was a big industry...until mechanical refrigeration came along (thank you, Mr. Carrier). The early refrigeration units might have used Ammonia as the refrigerant. It worked OK, but Ammonia leaks weren't so good. Next - Freon. It was a safer refrigerant, but, later, we found out that it was harmful when it escaped into the atmosphere. Now we have newer, better refrigerants, along with better insulation, compressor unit, cooling coils, sensors and controls. We can store food for several days or even weeks, depending on the food. So, Nate, do your own analysis for the other items I listed.
The first Indy 500 race was in 1911. Look at the pictures from that day and compare them to the winning entry last month. The Wright Brothers were first to make heavier-than-air flight in 1903. The next flight you make, you probably won't have to lie prone on the wing like they did.
Need I say more? Good luck in your continuing education, Nate!
Instead of me doing the description, I'm going to challenge you: Think about these things you use in everyday life...1) airplane; 2) automobile - race car - Indy500; 3) refrigerator; 4) telephone. All had their introduction a century ago, more or less. They are all still in use today. None of them look like the original. Laws of Physics has not changed.
Our ability to analyze and understand the physical laws has improved greatly. Materials have improved. Our expectations for how the device should perform has changed. So, yes, Mechanical Engineering will utilize materials with more useful properties when it makes sense.
If you think about the refrigerator in your home: One hundred years ago, your grand-parents (or great grand-parents) might have used an ice box. You do the same thing today with your portable cooler, just to go on an outing. Cutting and storing ice was a big industry...until mechanical refrigeration came along (thank you, Mr. Carrier). The early refrigeration units might have used Ammonia as the refrigerant. It worked OK, but Ammonia leaks weren't so good. Next - Freon. It was a safer refrigerant, but, later, we found out that it was harmful when it escaped into the atmosphere. Now we have newer, better refrigerants, along with better insulation, compressor unit, cooling coils, sensors and controls. We can store food for several days or even weeks, depending on the food. So, Nate, do your own analysis for the other items I listed.
The first Indy 500 race was in 1911. Look at the pictures from that day and compare them to the winning entry last month. The Wright Brothers were first to make heavier-than-air flight in 1903. The next flight you make, you probably won't have to lie prone on the wing like they did.
Need I say more? Good luck in your continuing education, Nate!
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
157
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Nate,
Material science enables us understand the properties of engineering materials. This is important in the selection of the appropriate materials during construction. Mechanical components experience all sorts of loads during their service life: normal loads (tensile & compressive), torsional loads (twist), shock loads (sudden large loads), thermal loads (heat) etc.
For safety and functionality of designs, constructed components, sub-assemblies, assemblies and systems must be able to resist these loads. Their ability to resist loads is assessed using the mechanical properties of their materials of construction: strength, toughness, rigidity/stiffness, malleability, ductility, thermal expansivity, density etc.
Materials science research has made significant progress in the development of new materials.
From metamaterials with programmable mechanical properties to high-performance carbon fiber composites, these materials can achieve specific properties that enhance their efficient applications. They are currently used in aerospace and automotive industries, medical devices and renewable energy technologies.
Their unprecedented combination of strength, lightness and durability make them particularly suitable for the above industries.
The aerospace industry uses carbon fiber and fiberglass.
The automotive sector uses carbon fiber to produce faster, more fuel-efficient, lighter-weight vehicles e.g. racecars.
Renewable energy sector uses advanced composites to make longer, lighter wind turbine blades that adapt better to changing wind speeds thus boosting energy capture more efficiently than traditional blades.
Piezoelectric sensors are used in smart material structures to enable real-time structural health measurements. This is because smart materials can actively respond to environmental changes.
New carbon capture materials e.g. covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can efficiently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In biomedical engineering, self-healing tissues e.g. hydrogels are now in use. They are able to repair themselves while remaining compatible with human tissues and biological systems.
The above are just few examples.
Engineers are not only adapting to new technological breakthroughs, but they are also the driving force behind the innovations. Whether it's robotics or the demand for sustainable solutions, engineers play a pivotal role in resolving complex challenges and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Material science enables us understand the properties of engineering materials. This is important in the selection of the appropriate materials during construction. Mechanical components experience all sorts of loads during their service life: normal loads (tensile & compressive), torsional loads (twist), shock loads (sudden large loads), thermal loads (heat) etc.
For safety and functionality of designs, constructed components, sub-assemblies, assemblies and systems must be able to resist these loads. Their ability to resist loads is assessed using the mechanical properties of their materials of construction: strength, toughness, rigidity/stiffness, malleability, ductility, thermal expansivity, density etc.
Materials science research has made significant progress in the development of new materials.
From metamaterials with programmable mechanical properties to high-performance carbon fiber composites, these materials can achieve specific properties that enhance their efficient applications. They are currently used in aerospace and automotive industries, medical devices and renewable energy technologies.
Their unprecedented combination of strength, lightness and durability make them particularly suitable for the above industries.
The aerospace industry uses carbon fiber and fiberglass.
The automotive sector uses carbon fiber to produce faster, more fuel-efficient, lighter-weight vehicles e.g. racecars.
Renewable energy sector uses advanced composites to make longer, lighter wind turbine blades that adapt better to changing wind speeds thus boosting energy capture more efficiently than traditional blades.
Piezoelectric sensors are used in smart material structures to enable real-time structural health measurements. This is because smart materials can actively respond to environmental changes.
New carbon capture materials e.g. covalent organic frameworks (COFs) can efficiently remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In biomedical engineering, self-healing tissues e.g. hydrogels are now in use. They are able to repair themselves while remaining compatible with human tissues and biological systems.
The above are just few examples.
Engineers are not only adapting to new technological breakthroughs, but they are also the driving force behind the innovations. Whether it's robotics or the demand for sustainable solutions, engineers play a pivotal role in resolving complex challenges and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.