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Materials Science and Engineering is concerned with the selection, processing, development and performance of materials. Materials engineers apply their skills and knowledge to optimise materials processing, and to improve the properties of manufactured products. Understanding and controlling the service behaviour of materials leads to improvements in the performance of machines, products and structures. Materials is the science of everything you see and touch. It is materials, metals, alloys, ceramics, polymers and composites that give manufactured products their functional and aesthetic properties.
Major advances in materials have occurred in recent years. Developments in light-weight metals, composites, high temperature materials, surface treatments and materials with special mechanical, electrical, optical and magnetic properties have opened new horizons for product design. The results are all around, enriching our everyday lives. Examples include the space shuttle and the jet aeroplane; the lap top computer and the MP3 player; artificial hips and the bionic ear; golf clubs and tennis rackets; and levitating trains.
The Division has a dominant research culture, is outwardly focussed and is internationally recognised for its research. Much of this research is concentrated on the net shape processing of the light metals, particularly casting and solidification of aluminium and magnesium and the powder processing of aluminium. There are also corrosion and polymer laboratories and an industrial consulting company. The work on solidification stretches back to the foundations of the original Department of Mining Engineering in 1950 and was one of the precursors to the CRC for Cast Metals Manufacturing (CAST), which is headquartered in the Division. With six academic staff members, the Division of Materials publishes over 40 peer reviewed journal papers per year and has an annual research income in excess of $2 million, which is the largest average income per staff member in the School of Engineering.
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Science and Technology: Ceramics/Refractories, Engineering: Ceramic Engineering, Energy: Metals/Alloys, Science and Technology: Metallurgy, Science and Technology: Structural Materials, Science and Technology: Mechanical Properties, Materials, Energy: Materials, Structure and Phase, Energy: Materials, Preparation/Fabrication, Energy: Materials, Physical Properties, Engineering: Materials, Engineering Properties, Engineering: Materials Engineering, Energy: Materials Chemistry, Science and Technology: Functional Materials, Science and Technology: Composite Materials |
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