2 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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2 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
649
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
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
89
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.