Materials research at the basic level can lead to unprecedented influence on society. For example, semiconductor materials, which are ubiquitous in cars, telephones, computers, clocks, kitchen appliances, children’s toys, satellites, telescopes, and more, were a product of materials science research – into the electronic properties of the element germanium. Further research led to the replacement of germanium with the less costly silicon and to diverse approaches to modifying silicon’s properties by implanting other elements, such as phosphorous or boron, into the silicon matrix. Since their discovery in 1947, semiconductors have been steadily improved through materials science research driven by ever-increasing performance demands from the computer industry.
Materials science is one of the oldest forms of applied science and engineering. In the history of human civilization, different eras have often been retrospectively identified according to an advance in the human ability to work with a new type of material. Examples are the , Bronze Age, and Iron Age. A major breakthrough in the understanding of materials occurred in the late nineteenth century, when Willard Gibbs demonstrated that properties relating to in various phases are related to the physical properties of a material.
Before the 1960s, (and in some cases decades after), many materials science departments at academic and research institutions were named departments, because the emphasis was on the study of metals and their uses. The field has since broadened to include every class of materials, such as , , , superconductors, superfluids, magnetic materials, medical implant materials, and biological materials.
Many important elements of modern materials science have resulted from the space race. In particular, the understanding and engineering of metallic , , and other materials were useful for the construction of space vehicles, space suits, and so forth, and the new knowledge was found valuable for various consumer and industrial applications as well. Materials science has laid the physical foundations of 21st century civilization, being integral to everything from fiber optic cables to tennis shoes, and from solar cells to sail boats. Materials science will continue to be centrally important in the quest for finding technological solutions toward sustainable development in the face of environmental degradation and the continued buildup of greenhouse gases due to the burning of carbon-based fuels.
Answer the following questions
1) What is the materials science?
2) What elements does materials science combine?
3) What did materials used in early human history include?
4) Why has materials science been propelled to the forefront at many academic institutions and research facilities?
5) What was the reason of the discovery of many important elements of modern materials science?
Put questions to the underlined words
1) The past century has witnessed
2) Materials research at the basic level can lead to
3) Further research led to
4) , semiconductors have been steadily improved through materials science research driven by ever-increasing performance demands from the computer industry.
5) A major breakthrough in the understanding of materials occurred
Find the equivalents to the following words in the text and make up sentences with them
For instance, ancient, include, university, investigation, period of time, appear.
Give explanations for the following words: applied physics, telescope, discovery, civilization, stone age, quest, environmental degradation, physical properties, greenhouse gases.
Put definite or indefinite articles
Materials science is one of _ oldest forms of applied science and engineering. In _ history of human civilization, different eras have often been retrospectively identified according to _ advance in _ human ability to work with _ new type of material. Examples are _ Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. _ major breakthrough in _ understanding of materials occurred in _ late nineteenth century, when Willard Gibbs demonstrated that thermodynamic properties relating to atomic structure in various phases are related to _ physical properties of _ material.
Put words in brackets into the correct form
Many important elements of modern materials science (result) from the space race. In particular, the understanding and engineering of metallic alloys, ceramics, and other materials (be) useful for the construction of space vehicles, space suits, and so forth, and the new knowledge (find) valuable for various consumer and industrial applications as well. Materials science (lay) the physical foundations of 21st century civilization, (be) integral to everything from fiber optic cables to tennis shoes, and from solar cells to sail boats. Materials science (continue) to be centrally important in the quest for (find) technological solutions toward sustainable development in the face of environmental degradation and the continued buildup of greenhouse gases due to the burning of carbon-based fuels.
LESSON 7
Active vocabulary
Celestial body – небесное тело
Tensile – растяжимый; эластичный
Conventional – обычный, обыкновенный, традиционный;
Hazard – риск, опасность
Anchored – надёжно закрепленный
Tether – привязь
Subset – подмножество
Skyhook – антенна; подвеска
Attain – достигать, добираться
Deploy- развёртывание
Feasible – реальный, выполнимый, осуществимый (о замысле, плане и т. п.)
Taper – плавный волноводный переход, заострение (сужение к краю, концу)
Centrifugal force – центробежная сила
Disturbance – беспокойство, тревога; возбуждение
Payload – грузоподъёмность
ore – руда
instantaneous