Advanced materials: Information and analysis needs

Abstract

Several public agencies have expressed interest in increasing the quantity and improving the quality of information they provide on advanced materials. This paper discusses specific information and analysis needs by focusing on potential differences between traditional and advanced materials. Also discussed are the various ways advanced materials can be defined and classified and the importance of different classification schemes to different types of analyses. Twelve potential differences between advanced and traditional materials are discussed. Potential differences range from varying physical and chemical properties to the range of expertise required for materials development and manufacture. Numerous information and analysis needs are derived from the discussion of these differences. The paper argues that identifying information needs for advanced materials requires a fundamental rethinking of why information of various types is important.