Initiating New Academic Programs in Materials Science
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*The College of Technology at Bowling Green State University consists of non-engineering departments in the applied sciences which includes aeronautics, automation, electronics, and measurement science.
MRS BULLETIN/SEPTEMBER 1992
the animal to crush the coral on which it feeds, has evolved to be both mechanically strong and lightweight. Similar porous structures exist in many biological materials. The materials scientist familiar with polyurethane foam2 and polycrystalline grain structure in alloys and ceramics will recognize the classic 120° angles formed by the forces of surface tension. This was recognized in the classic work of C.S. Smith.14 The porous structure of the butterfly wing has the obvious advantage of reduced weight. Solidified ceramic foams with similar structure are used in the tiles of the space shuttle. The morphology of
eas of materials science. Personnel welltrained in classical areas of science can be called upon to teach in their areas of expertise, emphasizing subjects essential to materials science. The following sections give specific examples. Biology Department Contributions The study of the microstructure of materials is of primary importance in any program in materials science. Traditionally, biology departments have housed scanning electron microscopes (SEMs), transmission electron microscopes (TEMs), optical microscopes, and often infrared microscopes. All can be used in the study of synthetic materials. A SEM with the capability for energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis is one of the most versatile of all scientific apparatus.1 Studies in materials science ranging from elemental analysis of submicron-sized impurity inclusions and dust particles to the analysis of fracture can be performed with a SEM. At Bowling Green State University, courses which long had been developed to train biologists in the use of SEM are being adapted to meet the needs of students in materials science. Students in biology are also being encouraged to contribute to materials science by studying hard biological structural materials, such as bone and shell, with the goal of inspiring materials scientists to create new manmade materials based on structures optimized in biological systems by a billion years of evolution. It might be noted here that the study of the cross sections of the wings of birds by Lillienthal in Berlin and the Wright brothers in Dayton, Ohio, led them to their successes in aeronautic design. Many other engineers have profited by modifying the designs of nature. Figure 1 is a SEM image of a scale on a butterfly wing and Figure 2 the mouthpart of a sea urchin. The latter, used by
Figure 1. SEM image of a scale of a butterfly wing demonstrating a lightweight yet strong structure that has evolved in nature. Study of biological structural materials can inspire new synthetic materials. (Photo by D. Schwab, Department of Biology, Bowling Green State University).
Figure 2. SEM image of a sea urchin's mouthparts used to crush coral. The porous morphology of this ceramic-like material minimiz
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