The sub-fields of materials science

Nanotechnology is the creation and study of materials whose defining structural properties are anywhere from less than a nanometer to one hundred nanometers in scale, such as molecularly engineered materials.

Micro technology is the study of materials and processes and their interaction, allowing micro fabrication of structures of micrometric dimensions, such as Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS).

Crystallography is the study of how atoms in a solid fill space, the defects associated with crystal structures, and the characterization of these structures and their relation to physical properties.

In order to understand and define the properties of materials, Materials Characterization is used, such as diffraction with x-rays, electrons, or neutrons, and various forms of spectroscopy and chemical analysis such as Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), chromatography, thermal analysis, electron microscope analysis, etc.

See also List of surface analysis methods

· Metallurgy – the study of metals and their alloys, including their extraction, microstructure and processing.

· Biomaterials – materials that are derived from and/or used with biological systems.

· Electronic and magnetic materials – materials such as semiconductors used to create integrated circuits, storage media, sensors, and other devices.

· Tribology – the study of the wear of materials due to friction and other factors.

· Surface science/Catalysis – interactions and structures between solid-gas solid-liquid or solid-solid interfaces.

· Ceramography – the study of the microstructures of high-temperature materials and refractories, including structural ceramics such as RCC, polycrystalline silicon carbide, etc.

· Glass Science – any non-crystalline material including inorganic glasses, vitreous metals and non-oxide glasses.

· Forensic engineering – the study of how products fail, and the vital role of the materials of construction.

· Forensic materials engineering – the study of material failure, and the light it sheds on how engineers specify materials in their product.

· Textile Reinforced Materials - materials in the form of ceramic or concrete are reinforced with a textile structure in order to give them high strength with comparatively more flexibility to withstand vibrations.

1. Find in the text English equivalents for the following words and word-combinations:

Визначення властивостей матеріалу; зрівняно більша гнучкість; завдяки тертю; заповнювати простір; знос матеріалів; взаємодія матеріалів; сучасна реологія; бетон; високотемпературні матеріали; скловидні метали; руйнування матеріалу; зв’язок з фізичними властивостями.

1. Work in pairs. Match the English words and word-combinations given below with their equivalents:

1. Forensic engineering 2. Reinforced Materials 3. Tribology 4. Surface science 5. Ceramography 6. Rheology

a) Наука що вивчає кераміку b) Наука про плинності речовини c) Наука про тертя d) Армовані матеріали e) Судова інженерія f) Наука про поверхні

1. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the sphere of nanotechnology?

2. What processes does micro technology study?

3. What does chrystallography study?

4. What are various forms of spectroscopy used for?

5. What materials are called biomaterials?

6. What is tribology?

7. How can concrete be reinforced? What for?