Sustainability of Materials

Catalog description

This discussion-based course will introduce strategies to improve materials sustainability, particularly with respect to reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions during the extraction, synthesis and fabrication of materials. Innovative solutions will be described that include alternative feedstocks, materials substitutions, and materials waste reduction. This course will primarily focus on metals and polymers. The course will present overarching concepts and illustrative examples that capture the global nature of materials supply chains. Students will explore issues through the framework of the materials lifecycle, including resource availability, manufacturing choices, and disposal options for materials appropriate for the application. The intention is for students to be able to make more informed material selection decisions and to identify critical needs for future material development to improve materials sustainability.