Materials engineersMaterials engineers are involved in the extraction, development, processing, and testing of the materials used to create a diversity of products, from computer chips and television screens to golf clubs and snow skis. They work with metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors, and combinations of materials called composites to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements. They also are involved in selecting materials for new applications. There are numerous new developments within materials engineering that make it possible to manipulate and use materials in various ways. For example, materials engineers have developed the ability to create and then study materials at an atomic level using advanced processes to replicate the characteristics of materials and their components with computers. Most metallurgical engineers work in 1 of the 3 main branches of metallurgy—extractive or chemical, physical, and process. Extractive metallurgists are concerned with removing metals from ores and refining and alloying them to produce suitable inputs for a number of industrial processes. Physical metallurgists study the nature, structure, and physical properties of metals and their alloys to find the best methods of processing basic materials into final products. Process metallurgists develop and improve metalworking processes such as casting, forging, rolling, and drawing. Most materials engineers specialize in a particular material. For example, metallurgical engineers specialize in metals, while ceramic engineers develop ceramic materials and the processes for making ceramic materials into useful products. Ceramics include all nonmetallic, inorganic materials that generally require high temperatures in their processing. Ceramic engineers work on products as diverse as glassware, automobile and aircraft engine components, fiberoptic communication lines, tile, and electric insulators. Related news articles Business Beat - Oct 15, 2006 The Spokesman Review,He previously worked as a plastic materials engineer at Mikron Industries and holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Washington State University ... 'Seat of Your Pants' tour of repaired roadways ends - Oct 6, 2006 St. Louis Post-Dispatch,David Ahlvers, the state construction and materials engineer who's traveled just about all 2,200 miles since August, said he has noticed a few minor ... Shark-Inspired Boat Surface - Sep 26, 2006 Ivanhoe Broadcast News,Materials engineer Tony Brennan, Ph.D., of University of Florida in Gainesville, uses shark skin as a model for creating new surfaces. ... More information on Materials engineers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Materials engineers occupation Number of Materials engineers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Materials engineers Working conditions for Materials engineers Significant points for Materials engineers Training requirements for Materials engineers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |