Materials science is an interdisciplinary field that investigates the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. It combines elements of physics, chemistry, and engineering to design and discover new materials, such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites. A key goal is to understand how processing history influences structure, and thus performance.
Materials science has roots in the Enlightenment, when researchers began to use analytical thinking from chemistry and physics to understand ancient, phenomenological observations in metallurgy and mineralogy. It emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the mid-20th century (specifically the 1950s and 60s), driven by the space race and the Cold War, which demanded new materials for aerospace and military applications. The founding of the Materials Research Society in 1973 helped solidify the field.
Materials science drives innovation in every technology sector. It has given us semiconductors for the digital revolution, optical fibers for the internet, lithium-ion batteries for portable electronics, and biocompatible implants for medicine. Current frontiers include nanomaterials (like graphene), high-temperature superconductors, and smart materials that can change properties in response to external stimuli.