Materials Science
The study of the characteristics and uses of various materials with improvements to their design which may add to their advanced engineering performance.
Subcategories:
Biomaterials (BIM): Studies involving any matter, surface, or construct that interacts with biological systems. Such materials are often used and/or adapted for a medical application, and thus comprise whole or part of a living structure or biomedical device which performs, augments, or replaces a natural function.
Ceramic and Glasses (CER): Studies involving materials composed of ceramic and glass – often defined as all solid materials except metals and their alloys that are made by the high-temperature processing of inorganic raw materials.
Composite Materials (CMP): Studies involving materials composed of two or more different materials combined together to create a superior and unique material.
Computation and Theory (COM): Studies that involve the theory and modeling of materials.
Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials (ELE): The study and development of materials used to form highly complex systems, such as integrated electronic circuits, optoelectronic devices, and magnetic and optical mass storage media. The various materials, with precisely controlled properties, perform numerous functions, including the acquisition, processing, transmission, storage, and display of information.
Nanomaterials (NAN): The study and development of nanoscale materials; materials with structural features (particle size or grain size, for example) of at least one dimension in the range 1-100 nm.
Polymers (POL): The study and development of polymers; materials that have a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic organic materials used as plastics and resins.
Other (OTH): Studies that cannot be assigned to one of the above subcategories.