Materials Science
The study of materials like metals, glass and plastic, combining chemistry, physics and engineering. By understanding how a material’s processing and structure shape its properties, materials scientists improve and invent materials that solve real-world problems.
What would you do?
- Research in labs to make new or better materials
- Model and simulate materials on computers
- Analyze data with machine learning
- Write and present findings on new materials
- Test materials in real-world scenarios
To fight climate change, materials scientists…
Make materials work better
- Convert and store more electricity with solar cells and batteries
- Create longer-lasting materials for fashion, buildings and energy
- Make windows that reflect heat better
- Create lighter, stronger materials that cut transportation emissions
Cut emissions in manufacturing
- Produce steel or electronics using less energy
- Invent ways to make concrete without carbon
Reduce waste
- Design self-healing systems so technology lasts longer
- Create biodegradable consumer products
Capture carbon emissions
- Absorb pollutants with filters
- Design everyday materials that capture carbon from the air
Relationship to climate change
Better materials are the key to unlimited renewable energy, sustainable buildings and more.
Use materials science for these Project Drawdown solutions:
- Agrivoltaics
- Alternative Insulation Materials
- Alternative Refrigerants
- Aviation Efficiency
- Biochar
- Cement Production
- Clean Cooking
- Concentrated Solar
- Cool Roofs
- Cultivated Meat
- Distributed Solar PV
- Electric Cars
- More solutions →
Expert insight
Jennifer Dionne
Award-winning Professor of Materials Science at Stanford. Her lab is working on ways to make fertilizer ammonia using sunlight, at room temperature. Her advice for students: email the lab, then follow up.
Read her insights on Materials Science →
Get started
A great fit if you’re interested in chemistry and physics, problem solving, how materials work, and new technologies.
Recommended classes
High school: Chemistry (H), AP Chemistry, Physics (H), AP Physics 1/2, AP Physics C, Geometry, Precalc/Trigonometry, Calculus, AP Seminar (helpful), AP Research (helpful), Electronics (helpful), Intro to Engineering (helpful)
Project ideas
- Explore how solutions absorb carbon dioxide
- Test how recycled materials can replace conventional ones
- Create simple biodegradable plastics
- Simulate materials with tools like MATLAB
- Model solar panel efficiency under different conditions
- Use machine learning to estimate battery degradation
More resources
- Chemists and Materials Scientists (BLS)
- A sustainable future: How materials science can make the planet cleaner
- What is Materials Science and Engineering?
- MIT alumnus’ thermal battery helps industry eliminate fossil fuels
Written by Aiden Miao, Palo Alto High School (2027)
