Featured Article: How Sword Making Works
The centuries-old art of sword making involves incredibly intricate metal work, and it's still being practiced today. Get a rare glimpse into the creation of this ancient weaponry. See more »
materials science library
Explore how the use of natural and manmade materials further technology. Read articles on subjects such as nanotechnology, iron steel and reverse osmosis.
Articles 1-17 of 17
Can a swimsuit make you swim faster?
Wouldn't it be cool to blow past that swimmer in the next lane who always leaves you eating her watery dust? Could a bathing suit help you do it?
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Everyday Science: Aluminum Quiz
It's neither as tough as iron nor as pretty as silver and it's the most common metal on earth both in prevalence and in stature. Yet, this basic element has defeated the odds to make itself practically indispensible in our daily lives.
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Everyday Science: Iron Quiz
One could safely say that we've built civilization itself on iron and it's seemingly infinite uses. From early tools to trains, iron is responsible for thrusting humanity into rapid advancement. But how much do you know about the extraction process?
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Everyday Science: Lead Quiz
Although we've understood the usefulness of lead since ancient times, it's taken us until recently to fully understand the danger lead poses to our health. What else should we know about this metal?
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Everyday Science: Rubber Quiz
The unique elasticity and durability of rubber makes it ideal for scores of important uses. Although you may be familiar with the use of rubber, how much do you know about the history and processing of this special substance?
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Everyday Science: Salt Quiz
Calling someone the "salt of the earth" is a compliment for a reason. Salt has been an immensely important and coveted substance throughout history. The more you learn about salt, the more you'll appreciate that shaker on your kitchen table.
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Everyday Science: Timber Quiz
When European settlers arrived in North America in the 1600s, they found vast forests stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River. Nearly 40 percent of the land north of Mexico lay beneath tree cover. So how much has changed?
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How a Cold Heat Soldering Iron Works
As an invention, Cold Heat seems to have everything. But reviewers -- both professionals and average users -- either love the tool or hate it, and some people question whether it's really "new" at all.
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How Iron and Steel Work
The refining of iron ore is one of our most historically significant achievements. The element is so important that primitive societies are measured by the point at which they learn how to refine it.
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How Nanotechnology Works
Nanotechnology is so new, no one is really sure what will come of it. Even so, predictions range from the ability to reproduce things like diamonds and food to the world being devoured by self-replicating nanorobots.
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How Nanowires Work
Welcome to the wonderful and weird world of nanowires. Scientists can adapt this incredibly thin material for a number of uses, whether as a fiber-optic nanowire or to build increasingly smaller microprocessors. They're even used in medical implants.
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How Plastics Work
Plastics can be shaped or molded into any form, and they're everywhere -- in your car, computer, toys and even bubble gum. But because they don't degrade, they cause big problems when it's time to throw them out.
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How Steam Technology Works
Steam technology powered the Industrial Revolution, transformed the global shipping industry and revolutionized modern warfare. But how do steam engines actually harness the power of steam?
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How Sword Making Works
The centuries-old art of sword making involves incredibly intricate metal work, and it's still being practiced today. Get a rare glimpse into the creation of this ancient weaponry.
See more »
How Timber Works
Log cabins may be a historical footnote and fossil fuels may reign supreme, but forests remain critical natural resources. What does the future hold for Paul Bunyan's favorite industry?
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How Welding Works
For a process that simply bonds two pieces of metal, welding affects a lot of our world and some stuff that's out of this world, like the International Space Station. What's it like to man the torch?
See more »How does reverse osmosis work?
Reverse osmosis explains the process of creating drinking water from salty, or otherwise contaminated water. How does this process work? How can you create drinking water from saltwater? Learn about the process of reverse osmosis in this article.
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