What is Materials Technology?

Materials - metals, plastics and ceramics - typically have completely different properties, which means that the technologies involved in their production are fundamentally different. Materials technology is a constantly evolving discipline, and new materials with interesting properties lead to new applications. For example, the combination of different materials into composites gives rise to entirely new material properties. Materials Science is closely related to materials technology. Materials Science is a multidisciplinary field that connects material properties to the material’s chemical composition, micro-structure and crystal structure.

The metallurgical industry and the production and processing of materials are very important aspects of Norwegian industry, and also offer significant added value to the economy through the export of products such as aluminium and ferrosilicon. The production of silicon in thin sheets for solar cells is an exciting new and rapidly growing industry in Norway. Materials are also of very great importance in the oil and gas industry, such as in providing protection against the corrosion of steel in the marine environment.

NTNU is the only university in Norway that trains engineers (Master of Technology) with expertise in materials technology and materials science. About 50 engineers graduate annually from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

The department’s educational programme emphasizes:

• Knowledge of the production of different materials, with a focus on technology for the production and processing of metals, and knowledge of chemical reactions and transport phenomena that are important for these processes. This is fundamental knowledge, with strong links to chemistry and chemical process technology.
• Knowledge of different materials such as metals, plastics and ceramics, and the structural and functional properties of the materials as related to different applications. Here, the links between the material’s micro-structure, its chemical composition and mechanical properties are important. This is classical physical metallurgy.
• Knowledge of materials that are of great importance for energy technologies, and how industrial processes and new technologies such as fuel cells and solar cells can help lower emissions of greenhouse gases.
• At NTNU, we are working to create and customize materials. We conduct research on materials for use in computer technology, transport, telecommunications, medicine and the production of oil and natural gas.

Material technology engineers must have broad knowledge of the sciences. The first years of the programme therefore provide a solid theoretical foundation in the different sciences. The course also includes an introduction to important materials technology topics. Students will learn how materials are produced, how they function, what characteristics they have and how they shaped and used. Students are also given a thorough introduction to basic mathematics, physics and chemistry. After two years, students have a range of choices to make, and academic advisors offer help to tailor the degree to fit individual interests.