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Very Short Introductions #405
Materials: A Very Short Introduction
In this Very Short Introduction, Christopher Hall shows how material science combines physics, chemistry, and biology with engineering to understand and exploit materials and create new ones, often with extraordinary optical and electrical properties.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2014
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262 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 16, 2015
Materials are everywhere. Right now, sitting at my desk, I am surrounded by a variety of typical office objects made out an almost unfathomable variety of materials: metal, glass, plastic, fiber, ceramics, paper, etc. Our lives, our culture and our civilization are almost completely determined and shaped by the materials that we use. It is our human ability to create and fashion materials in order to serve our multifaceted needs that distinguish us most visibly from all other creatures.
This very short introduction is a gentle yet deep and informative introduction to materials. It takes the reader on a journey through history, chemistry, physics and biology of various materials that we encounter. It pulls out many fascinating facts that I either did not know or never even stopped to think about (it's because of bronze's unique composition that bells have their distinct sound, and only thanks to some very special features of silver salts was photographic process possible to occur.)
One of this book's greatest virtues is its scope - all too often a material scientist has a very particular predilection for his/her own special class of substances, and focuses most of his attention to that topic. However, this short book is very comprehensive and covers pretty much everything that can be classified as material.
The other great aspect of this book is its easy and erudite writing style. The book is highly accessible and easy to follow, even for those who may not happen to be total science nerds.
Highly recommended.
This very short introduction is a gentle yet deep and informative introduction to materials. It takes the reader on a journey through history, chemistry, physics and biology of various materials that we encounter. It pulls out many fascinating facts that I either did not know or never even stopped to think about (it's because of bronze's unique composition that bells have their distinct sound, and only thanks to some very special features of silver salts was photographic process possible to occur.)
One of this book's greatest virtues is its scope - all too often a material scientist has a very particular predilection for his/her own special class of substances, and focuses most of his attention to that topic. However, this short book is very comprehensive and covers pretty much everything that can be classified as material.
The other great aspect of this book is its easy and erudite writing style. The book is highly accessible and easy to follow, even for those who may not happen to be total science nerds.
Highly recommended.
May 31, 2023
Materials
A Very Short Introduction on Materials serves to elucidate the reader on the current minds, and curiosities, of the scientific community on material science. Extracting from elements of chemistry, biology, physics, and quantum mechanics, the author maintains what was for me a highly enthusiastic attempt at allowing the reader understand basic concepts of the atomic structure of certain materials, starting from the metallic to the organic and inorganic: the atomic cubic structure, the varieties of use within metal alloys made from different metallic elements such as steel alloys and bronze alloys, the ability of elasticity of different materials from Young's Modulus, the defined terms of "stiffness", "hardness", and "soft", as well as our industrial usage of these materials, which the author categorises as "useful matter". The book begins with explaining gold, sand, and string - from the purities and impurities of melting down to the mechanics of quartz crystalisation, taking that further to metals (such as iron and steel in particular), clays and polymers, before the next chapter focusing on a closer inspection and microscopic detail of the material and crystal make-up.
A Very Short Introduction on Materials serves to elucidate the reader on the current minds, and curiosities, of the scientific community on material science. Extracting from elements of chemistry, biology, physics, and quantum mechanics, the author maintains what was for me a highly enthusiastic attempt at allowing the reader understand basic concepts of the atomic structure of certain materials, starting from the metallic to the organic and inorganic: the atomic cubic structure, the varieties of use within metal alloys made from different metallic elements such as steel alloys and bronze alloys, the ability of elasticity of different materials from Young's Modulus, the defined terms of "stiffness", "hardness", and "soft", as well as our industrial usage of these materials, which the author categorises as "useful matter". The book begins with explaining gold, sand, and string - from the purities and impurities of melting down to the mechanics of quartz crystalisation, taking that further to metals (such as iron and steel in particular), clays and polymers, before the next chapter focusing on a closer inspection and microscopic detail of the material and crystal make-up.
September 13, 2023
Materials : A Very Short Introduction (2014) by Christopher Hall provides a very short introduction to the neglected world of materials.
The improvements in materials are so important to our well being and so neglected. The book points out that optical fibers were only invented in 1952. The first transistor was invented in 1947. It’s incredible to think that these things have come in a human lifetime and now enable people all around the world to read a review like this.
The book Stuff Matter by Mark Miodownik provides a longer introduction to materials and for anyone who appreciated this book it would be well worth reading. Vaclav Smil’s books provide a remarkable take on the macro tale of materials.
The book starts by looking at Gold, Sand and String and uses that to examine metals, silicon and polymers. Next the book provides an examination of the micro structure of various materials. The weights and other properties of different materials are then described. Following that is a chapter on materials and their electromagnetic properties. Next is a chapter that briefly describes how some materials are made and used. Finally there is a quick discussion of the environmental impact.
The very short introduction to Materials is worth a read.
The improvements in materials are so important to our well being and so neglected. The book points out that optical fibers were only invented in 1952. The first transistor was invented in 1947. It’s incredible to think that these things have come in a human lifetime and now enable people all around the world to read a review like this.
The book Stuff Matter by Mark Miodownik provides a longer introduction to materials and for anyone who appreciated this book it would be well worth reading. Vaclav Smil’s books provide a remarkable take on the macro tale of materials.
The book starts by looking at Gold, Sand and String and uses that to examine metals, silicon and polymers. Next the book provides an examination of the micro structure of various materials. The weights and other properties of different materials are then described. Following that is a chapter on materials and their electromagnetic properties. Next is a chapter that briefly describes how some materials are made and used. Finally there is a quick discussion of the environmental impact.
The very short introduction to Materials is worth a read.
February 27, 2023
Material scientist Christopher Hall explains how we can understand, exploit, and even produce new materials through a combination of engineering, chemistry, biology, and physics.
He tells us that "everything" falls into the category of "useful matter", from bronze and iron, stone and clay, to rope, cloth, wood, and rubber.
He makes it easy to understand and follow his reasoning.
He tells us that "everything" falls into the category of "useful matter", from bronze and iron, stone and clay, to rope, cloth, wood, and rubber.
He makes it easy to understand and follow his reasoning.
October 30, 2019
Exactly as the title says, a book about materials we use and their properties. I only expected more on how we obtain those materials.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews