| September 5, 2003 |
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Strange Matter
Did  you know an entire field of science exists that is dedicated to the study of everyday stuff? It's called materials science, and believe it or not, it's a booming business. There are 300,000 (and counting) known materials, and all are either natural substances like metals, wood, or the silicon that allows you to read this Yahoo! Pick, or man-made ones such as plastics, polymers, and the like. Even more elaborate are new-fangled carbon composites and gravity-defying aerogels that are cooked up in the lab in the interest of the greater good. What material kicks the most butt? Find out who'll crack under pressure in the head-to-head smackdown. See how sand becomes a cell phone, athletes stay ahead of the curve, and bridges stay in place. When the next indispensable convenience hits mainstream, you can be sure materials scientists were in on the action early. (in Science) |
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