Materials Science Education Research Articles

Vision-based tactile intelligence with soft robotic metamaterial

Robotic metamaterials represent an innovative approach to creating synthetic structures that combine desired material characteristics with embodied intelligence, blurring the boundaries between materials and machinery. Inspired by the functional qualities of biological skin, integrating tactile intelligence into these materials has gained significant interest for research and practical applications. This study introduces a Soft Robotic Metamaterial (SRM) design featuring omnidirectional adaptability and superior tactile sensing, combining vision-based motion tracking and machine learning. The study compares two sensory integration methods to a state-of-the-art motion tracking system and force/torque sensor baseline: an internal-vision design with high frame rates and an external-vision design offering cost-effectiveness. The results demonstrate the internal-vision SRM design achieving an impressive tactile accuracy of 98.96%, enabling soft and adaptive tactile interactions, especially beneficial for dexterous robotic grasping. The external-vision design offers similar performance at a reduced cost and can be adapted for portability, enhancing material science education and robotic learning. This research significantly advances tactile sensing using vision-based motion tracking in soft robotic metamaterials, and the open-source availability on GitHub fosters collaboration and further exploration of this innovative technology (https://github.com/bionicdl-sustech/SoftRoboticTongs).

Exploration and Practice in Ideological and Political Education in Computational Materials Science: Cultivating Students' Comprehensive Qualities

Exploration and Practice in Ideological and Political Education in Computational Materials Science: Cultivating Students' Comprehensive Qualities

A phenomenological study on East and Southeast Asian dental educators: perceived importance, challenges, and strategies in teaching dental materials science

BackgroundEffective teaching of dental materials science is crucial for dental students to develop a comprehensive understanding of materials used in clinical practice. However, literature on educators’ views on teaching this subject is still scarce. This qualitative study aimed to explore the lived experiences of dental educators in teaching dental materials science subjects, thereby addressing potential gaps and enhancing teaching practices.MethodsThirteen dental educators from East and Southeast Asian countries (Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan) participated in the present study. The present study adopted a transcendental phenomenological approach. One-to-one semi-structured online interviews were conducted. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in the educators’ experiences.ResultsThree themes emerged from the present study. First, perceptions of the importance of dental materials science, highlighting its relevance in clinical practice, patient care, and lifelong learning. Second, the challenges faced in teaching dental materials science include limited instructional time, complex content, and insufficient resources. Third, specific strategies, such as applying interactive teaching methods, integrating clinical scenarios, and promoting critical thinking skills have been suggested to enhance teaching and learning.ConclusionUnderstanding dental educators’ experiences can improve dental materials science education, curriculum development, teaching methods, and faculty training programmes, ultimately enhancing the knowledge and skills of dental students in this field.

Navigating through postdoctoral education in materials science and engineering: Challenges and reflection

Navigating through postdoctoral education in materials science and engineering: Challenges and reflection

Integrating interdisciplinary education in materials science and engineering

Integrating interdisciplinary education in materials science and engineering

MICRO: An online undergraduate program to promote equitable access to research and education in materials science and engineering

MICRO: An online undergraduate program to promote equitable access to research and education in materials science and engineering

Innovative Pedagogical Strategies in Health Professions Education: Active Learning in Dental Materials Science.

Dental materials science education is frequently delivered via traditional didactic lectures in preclinical dental programs. This review aimed to appraise the current evidence on innovative pedagogical strategies in teaching dental materials science courses. English-language articles on teaching methods for dental materials science published between January 1990 to October 2022 were searched in nine online databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science [WoS], Science Direct, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, LILACS, Open Grey, and EMBASE) according to PRISMA guidelines. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Cochrane RoB-2 and ROBIN-I tools, whereas the level of evidence was determined based on the OCEBM guidelines. Only 12 primary studies were included. Two randomized studies (RCTs) were deemed as being of "some concern", and one showed a high risk of bias (RoB). Three non-randomized controlled studies (NRS) demonstrated a moderate RoB, whereas the remaining seven were low. Most studies were ranked at Levels 2 and 3 of evidence. Several innovative pedagogical strategies were identified: flipped classrooms, clinical-based learning, computer-assisted learning, group discussion, microteaching with the BOPPPS (bridge-in, learning objective, pre-test, participatory learning, post-test, and summary) model, and game-based learning. The evidence suggested that students generally showed positive perceptions toward these pedagogical strategies. Dental educators should revise their current undergraduate dental materials science curricula and integrate more effective teaching methods.

MatAR: dynamic augmented reality platform for accessible molecular visualization.

Color blindness affects 5% of the world's population, and it can challenge the accessibility and inclusivity of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Inspired by the fourth United Nations' (UN) sustainable development goal of quality education, we aim to provide sustainable and accessible resources for lifelong learning for all. In this work, we present MatAR, an educational augmented reality (AR) mobile app that enables colorblind learners to visualize 3D molecular structures by color pallet optimization. Leveraging Vuforia's cloud database, MatAR offers a sustainable solution for storing and accessing target images. Accessibility to AR applications for physics, chemistry, and materials science learning is currently limited. We believe that MatAR provides immersive visualization solutions for education and academic/industry research and has the potential to enhance the accessibility of STEM education for learners with color vision deficiencies and promote inclusive and equitable quality education, aligning with the united nations sustainable development goals.

Aflow.org: A web ecosystem of databases, software and tools

To enable materials databases supporting computational and experimental research, it is critical to develop platforms that both facilitate access to the data and provide the tools used to generate/analyze it — all while considering the diversity of users’ experience levels and usage needs. The recently formulated FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) establish a common framework to aid these efforts. This article describes aflow.org, a web ecosystem developed to provide FAIR-compliant access to the AFLOW databases. Graphical and programmatic retrieval methods are offered, ensuring accessibility for all experience levels and data needs. aflow.org goes beyond data-access by providing applications to important features of the AFLOW software [1], assisting users in their own calculations without the need to install the entire high-throughput framework. Outreach commitments to provide AFLOW tutorials and materials science education to a global and diverse audiences will also be presented.

Using Benchtop Scanning Electron Microscopy as a Valuable Imaging Tool in Various Applications

Abstract: Scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) are a popular analytical tool due to their high spatial resolution, large depth of field, and analytical capabilities. However, in many cases, the large-scale installation and cost of SEMs can be a barrier to entry for smaller laboratories or facilities. The introduction of a more compact benchtop SEM has changed the landscape, enabling scientists in many fields to adopt the technology and revolutionize research. Benchtop SEMs can be used in a variety of industries including materials science, pharmaceutical research, energy exploration, science education, and academia. These industries require analysis at the nanoscale for quality control, failure analysis, and R&D, for all of which the benchtop SEM is perfectly positioned to provide necessary detail. These advantages and new developments in the technology have made the benchtop SEM a widely available and well-accepted tool.

Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has evolved to become an indispensable tool for research and education in engineering, physics, nanotechnology, geosciences, materials science, biological sciences and other fields. However, training on a physical SEM is costly, time consuming, and often unavailable in economically disadvantaged areas. Advances in computer technology have made interactive three-dimensional (3D) virtual laboratory an effective tool for training in medicine and many engineering and technology fields. In the current work, in order to provide cost-effective hands-on training, a virtual 3D SEM was developed using the game development engine <i>Unity 3D</i>. It contains realistic 3D models of the physical components, created using <i>3ds Max^®</i>, a software for 3D modeling and rendering. The components are manipulated with scripts programmed using C# and JavaScript and then paired with the corresponding model. Users may view and operate the virtual instrument, save images for further analysis, and write a report. The developed virtual SEM was tested on diverse groups of users at multiple institutions, each divided to treatment and control groups. Feedback from these tests was collected and used for improvements in the overall quality of the simulated experience. In addition, users reported the experience of training on the virtual SEM as enjoyable.

Incorporating sustainability in material science education: Adapting computer aid programs in teaching materials sustainability

Incorporating sustainability in material science education: Adapting computer aid programs in teaching materials sustainability

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Materials Science and Engineering Education

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Materials Science and Engineering Education

REWAS 2022: Developing Tomorrow’s Technical Cycles

REWAS, a sustainability driven conference within The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), has a long history of bringing together academia and industry to exchange and reflect on the latest technology developments in the process optimization and waste management fields. The first edition of REWAS (REcycling and WASte symposium) took place in 1999. The scope of the conference has since then broadened to include environmental sustainability, resource management and manufacturing efficiency, liaising these developments to the metallurgical industry in a broader societal and systemic context. The 2022 edition of REWAS which will be hosted at the TMS 2022 Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Anaheim, California, provides a resolute outlook towards Developing Tomorrow’s Technical Cycles. Within the metals and materials industry, technical cycles refer to the ensemble of strategies and processes applied to the development of sustainable product loops with the intent to eliminate waste and instead rethink, reuse and upcycle products. The success of technical cycles requires strengthening our circular approach for product life cycle design by providing guidelines and implementation examples to the developers, designers, policy makers and business managers. REWAS promotes such strategies within a priority sector identified for Circular Economy enablement: raw materials supply and management. REWAS 2022 consists of six symposia, and abstract submissions are expected in summer 2021. Topics include recycling and sustainability within the aluminum industry, specifically on casting technologies, recovery of metals from complex products and systems, decarbonization of the metallurgical and manufacturing industry, sustainable production and development perspectives, as well as automatization and digitalization for advanced manufacturing. REWAS 2022 will also include an honorary symposium for Dr. Diran Apelian, whose contributions in metals processing, aluminum and battery recycling, sustainability, education in materials science and more have shaped the path for sustainable materials processing.

Silanes for Building Protection: A Case Study in Systems Thinking Approach to Materials Science Education

Silanes, and organically modified silanes in particular, are commercially used to protect the built environment from deterioration and, in indoor applications, to minimize water vapor condensation and microbiological contamination. Increasing their uptake, we argue in this study, includes the need to adopt a systems-thinking view of this green chemistry technology. After identifying the key advantages of these coatings, we highlight important educational consequences to undergraduate courses and doctoral programs in chemistry and materials science which are common in many research topics, well beyond nanocoating science and technology.

Schooling Africa: Computational Materials Science education and research

The African School of Electronic Structure Methods and Applications (ASESMA) [1 – 7] is a series of workshops held every two years in different sub-Saharan countries, designed to foster a collaborative network for research and higher education in Africa. Participants are drawn from across the continent through a competitive process, and the lecturers and mentors are outstanding scientists from across the world including Africa. ASESMA is administered by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), and the primary sponsor is the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP). The core guiding principle is that computation makes it possible for world-class research to be done with modest investment, and it is an essential part of education for the future. The skills acquired are useful for teaching at the university level and are transferable to other disciplines. The participants are the teachers who will educate future generations of African scientists.

The Materialism Podcast: Exploring New Avenues for Materials Science Education

What’s the best media platform for science? Clearly, researchers are steadfast on their reliance of traditional academic journals to disseminate work among peers. This is a low-tech solution in a connected world. Perhaps it’s time for an audible change.

Preface

The 29th seminar “Development of Materials Science in Research and Education” held on 2-6 September 2019 in the Slovak Republic, in the Eufória hotel located in Nová Lesná, a willage with the most beautiful view of the High Tatras.The first Joint Seminar in these series was held at Gabčíkovo in 1991 by the initiative of the Czech and Slovak Association for Crystal Growth and the Slovak Expert Group of Solid State Chemistry and Physics. The objective of this meeting offered an opportunity to Czech and Slovak teachers and scientists as well as guests from other countries who are working in the field of Materials Science to present their recent results and experience and to exchange new ideas and information.The scientific sessions covered the following topics on materials science:• Trends in the development of materials research• Education of materials science at the universities• Information about the research programmes of individual institutions• Information about equipment for preparation and characterization of materials• Results of materials researchThis workshop was aimed at the development of a stimulating atmosphere of cooperation, support of genuine dissemination of scientific ideas and propagation of materials science education. At the seminar, 44 participants presented 42 interesting talks.Editors

Virtual X-Ray Diffractometer using Acoustic Wave for Material Science Education

In this research, virtual X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) using acoustic wave for material science education has been proposed. Acoustic wave with frequency in ultrasonic range has been used to characterize acoustic crystal structures. The dimensions of model structure, which are in order of ultrasonic wavelength region, have been formed by three dimensional printer (3D printer) and cotton swab. The angle of ultrasonic source and detector have been swept to record reflected wave signal of each angle. The peak of each angle have been selected to calculate lattice spacing by Bragg’s law and then compared with the implemented structure. The results show signal peaks of each diffracted angle. The experimental results showed that the lattice spacing values obtained from acoustic experiment were in good agreement with the measured values of the implemented structure. This virtual XRD system provide to be an efficient tool for understanding about crystal structure characterization.

Material Science & Metallurgical Engineering Education in India-Past, Present & Future

Metallurgy as a science discipline has been established from the beginning of stone-age. It is imperative to note as we have progressed we have added facets of material science to it and the field has evolved into a discipline of engineering. From science fiction to reality the inherent inter-disciplinary nature of this branch sets up the need of its education and training. There have been several instances in when the pivot of development has completely changed due to advancement in material science and metallurgy whether it is semiconductor industry or space industry. In this paper, we have reviewed the scope and development of this discipline in India detailing through the course of history to the present status.