Macro Trends in Advanced Materials

Macro Trends in Advanced Materials

Innovation of material touches everyone’s life. Today’s conventional materials were yesterday’s advanced materials. For instance, the light bulb is usually considered a symbol of innovation. Thomas Edison wasn’t aware of inventing the incandescent light bulb, but he could do so through material innovation. He tried hundreds of materials for the filament before he found one that would be relatively efficient, durable, and bright.

Through these remarkable innovations transmission of electricity changed the world. In the current scenario, smartphones would not be in existence without discovering Gorilla Glass, light-emitting diodes, and transparent conductors. Advanced materials are particularly engineered to adapt enhanced properties that assure superior performance.

The types of advanced materials are ceramics, metals, polymers, and semiconductors. Some of the prominent examples of the advanced materials in the group are:

Advanced Alloys	High entropy, shape memory
Biopolymers	DNA-based, sugar-based, protein-based
Advanced polymers	Electroactive, Self-repairing
Porous materials	Microporous, Macro porous
Metamaterials	Acoustic, Electromagnetic
Particulate systems	Nano flowers, Quantum dots, Graphene

In this blog, we will discuss the trends in the advanced materials and technologies related to it:

1. 1. Advent of Quantum Dots

These are the semiconductor particle having a core-shell structure. These dots have unique properties because they emit light of a particular wavelength on the application of energy. Some of the applications of the quantum dots are written as follows:

• Bioimaging

Since QDs have unique electronic and optical properties such as narrow and symmetric emission spectra, size-tunable light emission, and broad absorption spectra. These properties enable the excitation of numerous multiple fluorescence colors.

• Photovoltaic devices

One of the prominent features of the QDs is their tunable absorption spectrum and high coefficient for extinction.

• Light emitting devices

According to an estimation by Research Nester, LED lights consume approximately 80-82% less energy than incandescent lighting and have a lifespan of 35,000-50,000 hours. The application of QDs in photovoltaic devices can prove to be a cost-effective option.

1. 2. Trend of miniaturization

Turning products smaller in size is an effective strategy to accomplish lower cost, energy efficiency, usability, and product viability. The advanced materials help in making various equipment smaller in size. For example, advanced materials are helpful in making camera lenses smaller. The improved design makes them stronger and more pleasant in appearance. These advanced materials enable waterproofing through the combination of tough coating layers.

1. 3. Advanced Materials in Energy Sector

The energy sector is witnessing higher demand for clean energy. Thus, there has been an expansion in solar and wind focus on energy storage. Some of examples of applications of advanced energy materials are:

• Sodium metal batteries
• Sodium ion batteries
• Electrolytes
• Rechargeable magnesium batteries
• Organic photovoltaic

 

1. 4. Application in Aerospace and defense

Advanced materials render operational advantages for the defense and aerospace industry. These advanced materials have great potential to acknowledge the challenges of the defense sector. These materials will have a remarkable impact on aviation as well.

1. 5. Application in Healthcare

The penetration of advanced materials from making prosthetics and implants. Healthcare advancements such as nanotechnology, 3D printing, and smart prosthetics are manufactured with the use of advanced materials. The demand will be majorly driven by the preference of consumers for prosthetic spinal, limbs etc.

1. 6. Potential of nanotechnology in advanced materials

With the advancements in material science, there are numerous attempts at space exploration. Researchers are dwelling on nanotechnology potential and tailoring advanced materials to make lightweight, resilient, cost-effective spacecraft equipment with the help of advanced materials.

1. 7. Quest for Sustainability

Advanced materials are helpful in protecting the planet with the help of sustainable engineering practices. For instance, LUNA only requires 2.1% of the carbon dioxide production per ton in comparison to gold.

1. 8. Usage of polymeric membranes

The polymeric membranes are widely utilized to cover nanostructured materials. These are useful for catalysis and drug delivery. Advanced materials are widely utilized instead of polymer solar cells, silicon molded injections, and nanocomposites.

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