Materials Science and Engineering

The demand for new or improved materials in bioengineering is driven by the need for lighter, stronger, smaller—down to nano-scale—structures and applications. For example, new materials are needed to produce better replacement parts for the human body, such as bones, teeth, joints, and heart valves.

To address these needs, materials scientists experiment with chemicals, atoms, and minerals to invent and perfect new materials, find ways to make traditional materials better, produce materials reliably and economically through synthesis and processing, and research what makes materials change and how to predict those changes. Materials Science and Engineering also intersects with bioengineering in work related to biorenewable polymers. Research to develop and characterize thermosetting polymers based on vegetable oils will help produce materials of varying flexibility and a multitude of applications.

Contact:

Lawrence Genalo, Professor and Associate Chair
2220 Hoover Hall
515 294-1214
email: genalo@iastate.edu
http://www.mse.iastate.edu/who-we-are/people/faculty/larry-genalo.html

Affiliated Faculty:

Mufit Akinc, Professor
http://www.mse.iastate.edu/who-we-are/people/faculty/mufit-akinc.html