Page 17 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

4 1 What Is Materials Chemistry?

Figure 1.2. Timeline of major developmental efforts related to materials science.

This materials characterization technique uses a tip, analogous to the record needle
that was once used in phonographs, to create images of the surface topology of a
sample – even including the controlled placement of individual atoms (Figure 1.3)!
Hence, even though the needs and desires of society are constantly changing, the
antiquated materials that are being replaced may still be of benefit toward the design
of new materials and technology.
The early world of materials discovery consisted solely of empirical observations,
without an understanding of the relationship between material structure and pro-
perties. Each civilization had specific needs (e.g., materials for shelter, clothing,
warfare), and adapted whatever materials were available at the time to address these
desires. Although this suitably addressed whatever issues were of societal concern at
the time, such a trial-and-error manner of materials design resulted in slow growth.
Interestingly, until the nineteenth century, the practice of chemistry was viewed as
a religion, being derived from alchemical roots that focused on a spiritual quest to
make sense of the universe. [3] The alchemists searched for a number of intriguing