The Department of Materials Engineering researches various new materials, including diamonds, to improve the quality of human life and contribute to industrial development. The department develops innovative materials in various fields such as semiconductors, batteries, and artificial organs, and is constantly challenging the future to open up new possibilities.
Since ancient times, the two biggest events in human history have been marriage and funerals. When a man and a woman who love each other meet and get married, the most desired gift for the bride, the main character of the day, is a diamond, which symbolizes the groom’s sincere heart and eternity. If the female nature of loving sparkling things has created a kind of non-formulaic formula of “diamonds for marriage,” let’s take a look at diamonds with the human nature of being curious about the properties of objects.
Diamonds are made of carbon atoms (C) arranged in a continuous arrangement in the form of an octahedron. The main component is, of course, the carbon atom. However, a small number of other non-carbon atoms determine the color, among other important factors that determine the price of a diamond. For example, pink diamonds, a favorite among women, contain small amounts of Fe, Ni, and Co impurities. But what if we changed the arrangement of the carbon atoms instead of the building blocks? Would a large plate with an endless series of hexagonal rings instead of an octahedron still sparkle like a diamond and appeal to women? Probably not. A collection of hexagonal rings is graphite, which is the lead of a pencil. Graphite is not the only material that carbon atoms can be arranged into, depending on their arrangement, fullerene, graphene, and other materials.
While diamond is a fascinating subject of study in its own right, studying the properties of a wide variety of materials is an important part of the Materials Science and Engineering Department’s role. There are many elements, not necessarily carbon, but most commonly oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, etc. Depending on their composition and combination, these materials can be used for hundreds of millions of different purposes. Materials engineering is at the forefront of observing and studying the properties of these materials and actually creating new ones. Since any object we see can only exist if it is made up of materials, efforts to create new materials that are even slightly better than the existing ones are ongoing and have many applications.
The fact that the Department of Materials Engineering was created by integrating the Department of Metallurgy, Department of Inorganic Materials, and Department of Fiber and Polymer Engineering shows that materials have been studied before and will be used in the future. The fact that there is a separate building for new materials engineering also supports the importance of the department.
So, what kind of new materials does the Department of Materials Engineering mainly research? As materials are important, it is impossible to say anything in particular because the students of the Department of Materials Engineering are entering various fields, but the Department of Materials Engineering represents advanced technologies such as semiconductors and batteries, and can also improve the quality of human life with biomaterials used as artificial devices without side effects. Superconducting materials, automobile and aircraft materials are also currently being researched, but that’s not all. Everyone’s favorite Harry Potter cloak, the Invisibility Cloak, could one day come from the Department of Materials.
The department’s research has a real impact on a wide range of industries. For example, imagine breaking your smartphone’s LCD screen, something we’ve all seen at least once. Unless you have insurance, you’ll have to get it repaired at a pretty high price. In this case, it is the task of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering to create materials for liquid crystals that are stronger and cheaper while maintaining the performance of liquid crystals. In the same vein, materials engineering departments can also create tumblers that are less bulky and better insulated, military uniforms that don’t tear or burn, and fireproof clothing.
The world has progressed with the advancement of materials, and we have been enthusiastic about new materials. Have you ever watched the drama “Jumong” and been thrilled with Mopalmo, who forged a steel sword in the Bronze Age and cried tears of joy? Or maybe you’re reading this and remember the excitement you felt after watching TV on a brown tube and then seeing an LCD monitor or AMOLED? The idea of researching and developing new materials yourself that can bring fresh excitement to others is the role of a true inventor and creator. This is the role of a true inventor and creator, which makes the Department of Materials Engineering a fascinating place to study.
The research in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering is not just theoretical, but it is a practical field that can make a big difference in real life. It is no exaggeration to say that most of the objects we use in our daily lives are the result of materials engineering. The process of researching and developing lighter, stronger, and more efficient materials enriches human life and opens up new possibilities. This research is not limited to the present, but is a constant challenge for the future.
