The study of materials is a major field of research that supports & drives innovation in technology Using modern scientific techniques materials scientists & engineers explore & manipulate materials & create new ones with remarkable strength & extraordinary optical & electrical properties In this Very Short Introduction Christopher Hall looks at a wide range of materials from steel wood & rubber to gold silicon & graphene describing how materials are used how their properties arise from their internal structure & how useful & novel things are made from them He concludes by looking at how the global scale of materials consumption now threatens the goal of sustainability ABOUT THE SERIES The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas & enthusiasm to make interesting & challenging topics highly readable