NEW MATERIALS
New materials are substances that have been recently discovered or engineered to possess unique physical or chemical properties. Throughout history, materials and advances in material technology have influenced mankind and this search still continues.
Demand from industry requires that materials be
LIGHTER, TOUGHER, THINNER, DENSER AND MORE FLEXIBLE OR RIGID, AS WELL AS TO BE HEAT AND WEAR-RESISTANT.
The use of new materials has been a key driver of growth in many industries, from aerospace and automotive to electronics and construction. The transformations occurring in the energy, automotive, logistics, manufacturing, and construction industries, in combination with evolving industry 4.0 innovations, drive demand for new materials.
Some recent examples of new materials are
- Graphene (single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice)
- Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs—porous materials made up of metal ions linked by organic molecules)
- Perovskite cells (converts sunlight to electricity)
- Hydrogels (water swollen polymers that can mimic the properties of natural tissues, thus making them ideal to repair damaged tissues);
- Nanomaterials (used for targeted drug delivery, imaging, and diagnostics)