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Materials
Engineers Have a Golden Future
Virtually
everything we use is made from materials. The bench you sit on. The car
you ride in. The window you look out of. The keyboard you type on. Most
products are made from a variety of materials, specifically combined to
meet the specific needs of the product.
But who creates the materials? And who decides which materials should
be combined? Metallurgical engineers, now mostly referred to as
materials engineers, apply scientific principles to develop and even
invent materials specifically suited for the products people use every
day.
"Metallurgy is a field of engineering with a rich historical
background, where the practice has almost superceded the science," says
Noubar Yemenidjian. He is head of the department of mining and
metallurgical engineering at a university.
Materials engineers address the needs of all other engineering and
science disciplines, says Georges Kipouros. He is assistant dean of
engineering at Dalhousie University. "They all end up with the same
question: If only we had something that can...," he says.
"In the old days, the answer was, 'I know a guy who does a lot of
strange combinations....' And the sure conclusion was that the person
was the one with a background in metallurgical engineering."
Traditionally, metallurgy has involved the study and developments of
metals and alloys. Today, the field also includes nonmetallic materials
such as ceramics, polymers (plastics), composites (combinations),
semiconductors, and novel manufacturing methods such as powder
metallurgy. Hence the newer name "materials engineers."
In fact, there are fewer than a dozen departments in North America that
still retain the word "metallurgy" in their title, says Kipouros.
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, job opportunities for
materials engineers will grow about as fast as average through 2014.
The handbook also says that jobs will open for those who develop
materials in biotechnology, electronics and plastic products.
"[Materials engineering has] the highest percentage growth compared
with other engineering disciplines: mechanical, electrical, civil,
chemical, etc.," says Nitin Padture. He is a professor in the
department of metallurgy and materials engineering at the University of
Connecticut.
"The reason for this growth is that materials are an enabling
technology. As technology grows, so does the demand for highly
engineered materials, which are more complex compared with the
materials of yesteryear," says Padture.
Evidence also shows that the demand for metallurgists with traditional
skills is very strong as well.
"Judging from the phone calls I get every week from recruiters and from
colleagues in the industry, the demand for metallurgical engineers is
very strong," says Kipouros. "The irony is that the demand is in the
very traditional areas of expertise, where the universities have long
ago stopped preparing students.
"It is true that the materials area has overtaken the metals processing
field, but most of the producing and secondary processing plants still
deal with metals," says Kipouros.
Alan Russell is an associate professor in the department of materials
science and engineering at Iowa State University. He has similar good
news regarding the employment of metallurgical engineers.
"Demand is very strong," says Russell. "Every year, the number of
prospective employers hoping to hire bachelor of science graduates in
metallurgical engineering is greater than the number of available
graduates."
Particular niches with the best growth include the fields of aerospace,
independent research and testing services, according to Dan Steiner. He
is the director of member, marketing and meeting services for the
Minerals, Metals and Materials Society.
It's no surprise that materials engineers are sorely needed.
"Everything is made out of some material, and materials engineers are
the experts at selecting, adapting and modifying materials to do the
task at hand in the best possible way," says Russell. In fact, this is
the very reason he was attracted to the field.
Metallurgy is a satisfying combination of both science and application.
"This makes it interesting and challenging," says Yemenidjian.
"You should not be happy with just understanding a phenomenon," says
Padture. "You should ask the questions, 'What can I do with this? How
can I make it better?' People asking questions like these have
revolutionized technology.
"Specifically, materials engineers have made cars lighter and more
efficient. They have also made different kinds of high-performance
materials available to build buildings, bridges, dams. Materials
engineers have made computers possible. The heart of the computer, the
silicon chip, is a materials marvel," he adds.
"They have also made communications possible. Without fiber optics, we
wouldn't have the Internet. Without the advent of high-temperature
superalloys and ceramic coatings and lightweight composites, planes
would never be able to take off."
And if that were not enough, materials are also making the
biotechnology revolution possible. People are living longer and living
healthier, but sometimes their body parts can't keep up, adds Padture.
New materials are being invented to replace bones, cartilage, teeth,
livers and more.
According to Yemenidjian, specific careers in metallurgy include being
a metal producer or fabricator, advanced materials producer or
manufacturer of ceramics. You can also find careers in the aerospace
industry, biomaterial health fields, microelectronics, consulting and
environmental fields.
Russell suggests that students interested in the materials engineering
field take all the science and math courses offered at school,
especially chemistry and physics.
Padture is confident for the future. "The next few decades will bring
even more exciting possibilities for materials engineers. The sky is
the limit!"
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Net
Sites
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Materials
Information Society
Society for materials engineers and scientists
http://www.asminternational.org/
Materials Science
and Engineering Career Resource Center
Learn more about this career field
http://www.crc4mse.org/what/Intro.html
Michigan Tech
Learn about its program in metallurgical and materials engineering
http://www.mse.mtu.edu/
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