materials science

American  

noun

1. the study of the characteristics and uses of various materials, as glass, plastics, and metals.

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Etymology

Origin of materials science

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Amit Pathak, a professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the McKelvey School of Engineering, studies how cells interact with the physical properties of their surroundings.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

Axel Hoffmann is an Illinois Grainger Engineering professor of materials science and engineering in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

Stupp is a leader in regenerative materials science and holds the title of Board of Trustees Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Medicine and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026

This explains why most quantum research consists of some kind of modeling problem—and why quantum is expected to have an outsize impact in the areas of drug discovery and materials science.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

This explains why most quantum research consists of some kind of modeling problem—and why quantum is expected to have an outsized impact in the areas of drug discovery and materials science.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026