(91b) Developing a Materials Science Textbook

This poster presents a project in which students are assisting Dr. James A. Newell in writing a new materials science textbook for Wiley Publishing. This poster explains the various reasons a new textbook should be written, as well as the tasks of the students involved with the project. Innovations in this textbook include a briefer, more focused examination of the fundamentals of materials science including the role of economics in decision-making and the importance of sustainability and life-cycles in materials selection. In addition, while metals including carbon steel will still receive coverage, the book will represent a more even distribution of coverage of the various classes of materials including polymers, ceramics, and composites. Special chapters will be devoted to emerging areas including biomaterials, carbon materials, and nanomaterials, which are frequently overlooked in other texts. Unlike the giant tomes currently used, this book is designed for a one-semester introductory course. Student tasks for this project include composing the glossary and homework solutions, as well as all drawings needed within the text. In addition, students are given the task of editing the text, to ensure that all concepts are presented clearly. Overall, this poster focuses on the differences between this textbook and existing materials science textbooks, as well as examples of the work done by students thus far during the production of this text.