To meet the needs of the manufacturing industry which is increasingly focussing on new technologies, blending of design and new materials, a career in Advanced Materials and Manufacturing is rewarding, says Prof Peter Hodgson
One of the most prominent features of the knowledge economy is the rate of change that the world is dealing with. leading this change are disruptive technologies in almost every sphere of life, whether it is information technology, the mobile platforms or the development of new materials and processes that are in turn realigning understood concepts of manufacturing and engineering.
Fundamentally, these are manifestations of greater investments and outputs by an increasing number of corporates, governments, and specialist agencies in research and development. As the world grapples with the new dimensions of technology, engineering and manufacturing, academia has responded with a series of new study modules that are bringing out students and practitioners who are better prepared to navigate this new territory.
One of the premier study options for those who wish to explore this field is the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing degree. Such degrees are designed to meet the needs of the manufacturing industry which increasingly relies on the uptake of new technologies as well as the blending of design and new materials.
Advanced Materials and Manufacturing research courses usually consist of four well-developed platforms of expertise, such as advanced manufacturing and performance of materials, materials manufacturing, intelligent systems and advanced fibres, textiles and polymers. Researchers in this area work in collaboration with industry to develop new materials, material technologies and material processing techniques suitable for the textiles, metals, aerospace and automotive manufacturing industries.
The modern automobile reflects this complex tension between cost and use of new, more expensive materials for light weighting which allows greater fuel efficiency. At the same time the customer also wants greater safety and comfort. All of this can be achieved by the adoption of advanced manufacturing with new materials. The aerospace sector is constantly looking for advanced materials and at present there is great interest in carbon fibre composite materials and advanced titanium alloys.
Studying for materials science/manufacturing provides one with a strong set of transferable skills valued by employers. Often employers look for skills which one is required to have in the field of material sciences which include analytical and problem-solving skills, a high standard of numeracy, IT competency and computer-modelling experience, research and report-writing skills, creative and independent thinking, time management, planning and organisational skills, commercial awareness and business skills. Strong oral communication skills, including the ability to articulate one’s ideas clearly and concisely, persuade and negotiate with others and build interpersonal relationships. These are key skills for many materials-based roles, which often involve consulting, advising clients or colleagues and working in cross-functional teams.
There are career openings for materials graduates in many of the emerging and growth areas as well such as nano-technology, biomedical materials, high-performance textiles, composites and the development of sustainable materials. A materials science, technology research course provides knowledge of manufacturing, processing and the fabrication of materials and opens doors to jobs in a range of industries as materials engineer, metallurgist, product/process development scientist, research scientist (physical sciences), technical sales engineer.
Research oriented studies offers opportunities as biomedical engineer, manufacturing systems engineer, patent examiner or quality manager. Opportunities are also available in teaching and research with positions such as higher education lecturer and secondary school teacher available to such degree holders.
Currently Advanced Materials and Manufacturing courses are offered only by a few institutions globally and it makes eminent sense for desirous students to evaluate all aspects of study including scholarships offered, comparative fee structures, curriculum, specialisations and relocation and job prospects.
(The writer is pro-vice chancellor, strategic partnerships, Deakin University, Australia)