materials science

Introduction
Materials for energy
- Classification of energy-related materials
- Applications of energy-related materials
  - High-temperature materials
  - Diamond drills
  - Oil platforms
  - Radioactive waste
  - Photovoltaics
Materials for ground transportation
- Metals
  - Aluminum
  - Steel
- Plastics and composites
- Ceramics
Materials for aerospace
- Metals
  - Melting and solidifying
  - Alloying
- Composites
  - Polymer-matrix composites
  - Metal-matrix and ceramic-matrix composites
  - Other advanced composites
Materials for computers and communications
- Electronic materials
  - Semiconductor crystals
    - Silicon
    - III–V compounds
  - Photoresist films
  - Electric connections
  - Packaging materials
  - Precursors
- Photonic materials
  - Crystalline materials
  - Epitaxial layers
  - Optical switching
  - Optical transmission
Materials for medicine
- General requirements of biomaterials
- Polymer biomaterials
  - Elastomers
  - Thermoplastics
  - Thermosets
- Applications of biomaterials
  - Cardiovascular devices
  - Orthopedic devices

References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

Diagram of a germanium crystal lattice showing how the absence of an electron, called a hole, moves through the structure as electrons jump between atoms, with arrows and labels explaining each step.

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Diagram showing a cross-section of the human heart with labeled chambers and valves, alongside illustrations comparing a healthy heart valve, a diseased valve with irregular tissue, and a mechanical artificial valve.

At a Glance

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materials science summary

Related Questions

Diagram of a germanium crystal lattice showing how the absence of an electron, called a hole, moves through the structure as electrons jump between atoms, with arrows and labels explaining each step. — electron hole: movement Movement of an electron hole in a crystal lattice.

materials science

Written by

R.L. McCulloughAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 26, 2026 •History

materials science, the study of the properties of solid materials and how those properties are determined by a material’s composition and structure. It grew out of an amalgam of solid-state physics, metallurgy, and chemistry, since the rich variety of materials properties cannot be understood within the context of any single classical discipline. With a basic understanding of the origins of properties, materials can be selected or designed for an enormous variety of applications, ranging from...

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