WHAT IS MATERIALS CHEMISTRY

Life in the twenty-first century is ever dependent on an unlimited variety of advanced materials. In our consumptive world, it is easy to take for granted the macro-, micro-, and nanoscopic building blocks that comprise any item ever produced. We are spoiled by the technology that adds convenience to our lives, such as microwave ovens, laptop computers, digital cell phones, and improved modes of transportation. However, we rarely take time to think about and appreciate the materials that constitute these modem engineering feats. 

The term material may be broadly defined as any solid-state component or device that may be used to address a current or future societal need. For instance, simple building materials such as nails, wood, coatings, etc. address our need of shelter. Other more intangible materials such as nanodevices may not yet be widely proven for particular applications, but will be essential for the future needs of our civilization. Although the above definition includes solid nanostmctural building blocks that assemble to form larger materials, it excludes complex liquid compounds such as crude oil, which may be more properly considered a precursor for materials. 

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LAUDISE What Is Materials Chemistry Potassium Titanyl Phosphate... 

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