Materials Learning Objectives: (1) Expand our knowledge and exposure to a broad range of materials. (2) Highlight the applications in which certain materials are commonly selected for use. (3) Apply Materials terminology about Processing, Structure, Properties and Performance to real world materials.
Communication Learning Objectives: (1) Communicate effectively to a non-expert technical audience. (2) Demonstrate effective use of technical writing “tools”, including figures, tables, and reputable citations
Genre: Informative Research Report or Review Article (e.g. Wikipedia page).
Audience Use of Communication: student will use your page to quickly gain a broad overview of your selected material, as well as follow up on some of your references to confirm your information and/or delve into a topic in more depth. Remember, the goal of your page is to give a relatively concise, easy to follow snapshot of that material from wellcited, dependable, and researchable sources (i.e. not websites, as these can be modified at any moment.)
Each Materials Wikipedia Page is required to include the sections listed on pg. 2 with clear headings. Some suggestions to get you thinking about what these sections might entail are also listed below. Feel free to add additional sections or subsections that you feel are appropriate. You might want to peruse real Wikipedia pages online to get ideas for ways to present your material.
Required Materials Wikipedia Page Sections
Materials Classification What materials classification (or multiple) does this material fall under? Metal? Ceramic? Polymer? Composite? Smart Material? Biomaterial? Semiconductor?
History How, when, by whom was it discovered? How has it historically been used? What technologies or advancements has its inception enabled? Is it or key components of it naturally abundant in certain areas on earth?
Structure What is the chemical formula? Bonding present? Mass density? Unit cell (image)? Lattice parameter? Crystal structure? Polymorphs or Allotropes? Slip system? Relevant defects? How do these structural characteristics give rise to the properties exhibited by this material?
Properties
What are the key properties that distinguish it from other materials and promote its use in certain
applications? Are there properties which make it difficult to use or less than ideal for some
applications? What are the tabulated (mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, etc.) materials
property values relevant to how it is used?
Processing:
Does it have to be isolated/purified? How easily can it be processed? Are there natural and/or synthetic versions, and, if so, how do they stack up against one another? If certain processing is done routinely, how are modified properties achieved for this material by certain processing steps (alloying, deforming, quenching, etc.)? How does the processing of this material factor into its cost (and visa versa)?
Performance/Applications
What are the main uses of this material today? What product(s) is it currently and/or was it previously found in? Can you demonstrate the material in various applications by showing relevant images? (If so, be sure to properly cite them!)
References
List of references, numbered, and listed in the order they appear cited in the text. Use the Council of Science Editors (CSE) referencing style. Minimum of 5 references must be used for each student Wikipedia page. Page content should be drawn from and distributed adequately between a variety of sources. (More information below under “Citing Information within the Text”.)
Figure References List of figure references, numbered, and listed in the order they appear cited on the page. Use the Council of Science Editors (CSE) referencing style.
• Presentation of information ()
o Overall presentation is professional and polished
o Consistent text style and size
o Main heading at top of page highlighting material name
o Sections are appropriately denoted with headings
o Figures (at least 3) are included that enhance information reported in the text
o Figures are discernable, numbered in order, have appropriate captions, and are referred to from appropriate location in text (i.e. “as seen in Figure 1.”)
o References referenced correctly (specifically linked to statements in text), documented in reference list consistently, and numbered according to appearance in text
Accuracy and completeness of content ()
o 800-1000 words of main text
o Lingering questions of why or how?
o Chemical formulas are given for named minerals or trade-name materials
o Materials structure and properties sections include text that highlights the important structures and properties of the material, not just a table listing structure characteristics and/or properties.
o In applications/performance section, it is explained what specific material properties lead to certain applications highlighted.
o At least 5 verifiable/reputable references used (not webpages, unless from a reputable source such as a national society, etc.)
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|