Everyday Materials
This metal known for conducting electricity is also antibacterial.
What is copper?
This small white sphere is used to play a game with tiny holes.
What is a golf ball?
Global health care costs associated with this insulating fiber are estimated to be between $2.4 and 3.9 billion.
What is Asbestos?
This new computer technology uses modern physics to push performance to new heights.
What is quantum computing?
This class of inorganic materials is used in space shuttle tiles and is dominated by ionic bonding.
What is a ceramic?
What is a composite surfboard?
This part was used below its glass transition temperature, causing a 32-month hiatus in the space shuttle program.
What are O-rings?
Portions of this ancient Roman road can still be seen today.
What is the Appian Way?
This polymer used in "river tables" becomes irreversibly hardened after the application of heat.
What is epoxy?
Scared of heights? You would be working on ropes to repair this composite if it gets damaged.
What are composite wind turbine blades?
This class of chemicals is now banned with an international treaty due to ozone damaging effects.
What are CFCs?
In the 1870s, this technology reduced the time for transatlantic communications from 10 days to 16 hours.
What is an undersea cable?
This equiatomic alloy is used in medical applications.
What is Nitinol?
To increase integrity, security, or performance, glass is combined with other materials this clear product.
What are composite windows?
This $6.4 billion dollar bridge built in 2014 has already showed signs of hydrogen embrittlement in the bolts.
What is the Bay Bridge?
This 1960s-era spy plane can outrun a missile.
What is the SR-71 Blackbird?
These "3TG" metals are known as conflict minerals.
What are tantalum, tungsten, tin, and gold?
Composed of scrap wood and resin, this pressed building material is becoming a popular choice.
What is composite siding or decking?
An explosion occurred under this California city after a bonus system was put in place that encouraged non-reporting of leaks.
Where is San Bruno?
This bridge is the tallest in the world, over a mile long, and only took three years to complete.
What is the Milau Viaduct?