Materiaals

Materiaals is a multidisciplinary framework and field of study that integrates materials science, engineering, design, and data analytics to understand and design materials with desired properties and performance. The term is used in academic and industrial contexts to emphasize the interfaces among composition, structure, processing, and performance, as well as the digital representation of materials for simulation and optimization. The goal is to accelerate discovery, reduce environmental impact, and enable tailored solutions.

The field draws on principles of materials science (crystal structure, phase behavior, properties), processing science (fabrication routes, heat treatment, additive manufacturing), and computational methods (materials informatics, machine learning, high-throughput screening). A core concept is the materials genome approach, where databases of material candidates are coupled with predictive models to screen for optimal combinations of properties at reduced cost and time. Multi-scale modeling connects atomic-level interactions to bulk properties and lifecycle performance.

Common applications include energy storage materials, structural composites, electronics substrates, catalysts, and biomaterials. Sustainability is central, with emphasis on recyclability, material efficiency, and end-of-life considerations. Challenges encompass data quality, standardization, and integration of experimental and computational workflows.

See also: materials science, materials engineering, materials informatics, metamaterials, additive manufacturing.