Frequently asked questions about selected materials

FAQs relating to various metals and their applications are available here under the following topics:

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Material of the month

See also these articles from Materials World magazine focusing on specific materials

Material of the month – silk

2 Nov 2016

Khai Trung Le focuses on applications of silk in both warfare and heathcare

Material of the month: metal organic frameworks

3 Oct 2016

Simon Frost speaks to the forefather of a class of cage-like porous materials that hold promise for some of the most hotly sought applications in science

Material of the month – rubber

1 Sep 2016

From the playthings of the ancient Mesoamericans to Wellington boots, car tyres to hot water bottles, natural and synthetic rubber has a rich and storied history, as Anna Ploszajski finds out

Material of the month – hemp

2 Aug 2016

From nanotechnology to automotive components and textiles – hemp has a number of diverse applications. This month, Anna Ploszajski discovers the history behind the fibre.

Material of the month – Polycarbonate

4 Jul 2016

From buildings and cars to music and kitchenware, this month, Anna Ploszajski looks at the recyclable plastic polycarbonate