New developments and orientation in materials science-effect on surface engineering

摘要

Energy and environment are the most important drivers of the industrial development at the beginning of the 21st Century and more and more subject of a general concern.In the Global World of our days there is a very strong interdependency between different aspects of scientific, economic and social life , even if all those interactions are not always evident.The materials science is one of fundamental building blocks of the general science and its development is conditioning in a way the whole of human progress.The better understanding of the structure and components of the material world leads to discovery of new materials and of possibilities to use them in almost any application.The paper presents a brief overview on the latest developments in materials science with emphazis on engineering materials, as well as the expected effects on the energetic aspects on both industrial and domestic levels.Heat treatment and surface engineering are not only strongly connected to the materials and their development but are crucial for reducing the energy needs as well.A few of the most important developments of engineering materials are outlined and their expected influence on surface engineering is evaluated considering also the energy and environment aspects.The role of "classical-conventional" materials may not be questioned but it is necessary to be aware of what the new materials may offer and what is the trend in materials development and wide spread applications.