Material of the Month

Material of the month: bio-based polymers

31 Mar 2017

We look at plastics made from sugarcane, milk and a range of other biomass sources.

Material of the month: aluminium

1 Mar 2017

From aircrafts and skyscrapers to smartphones and packaging, aluminium is one of the most versatile materials used today. Natalie Daniels discovers why.

Material of the month: carbon fibre composite

1 Feb 2017

Simon Frost charts the history of the favoured materials in applications where strength, stiffness and low weight are key.

Material of the month – Leather

4 Jan 2017

Anna Ploszajski delves into the history of one of mankind’s longest used natural resources.

Material of the Month - Tin

7 Dec 2016

Ellis Davies looks at the importance of tin in history and where it stands in the modern day.

Material of the month: metal organic frameworks

3 Oct 2016

Simon Frost speaks to the forefather of a class of cage-like porous materials that hold promise for some of the most hotly sought applications in science

Material of the month – rubber

1 Sep 2016

From the playthings of the ancient Mesoamericans to Wellington boots, car tyres to hot water bottles, natural and synthetic rubber has a rich and storied history, as Anna Ploszajski finds out

Material of the month – hemp

2 Aug 2016

From nanotechnology to automotive components and textiles – hemp has a number of diverse applications. This month, Anna Ploszajski discovers the history behind the fibre.