Modern materials

Graphene

Advantages	Disadvantages
World's strongest material (200x stronger than steel) Excellent conductor of heat and electricity Ultra-thin and lightweight (just one atom thick) Flexible and nearly transparent	Very expensive to produce in large quantities Difficult to manufacture without imperfections No natural bandgap (hard to use in transistors) Potential environmental risks from production

Uses: Flexible electronics, super-fast computers, better batteries, medical devices, strong materials

Metal Foams

Advantages	Disadvantages
Lightweight while maintaining structural strength Excellent energy absorption (ideal for impact protection) Good thermal and acoustic insulation properties High surface area useful for filtration and heat exchange	Higher production costs compared to solid metals Difficult to machine and shape after production Variable quality due to pore size inconsistency Limited load-bearing capacity compared to solid counterparts

Uses: Automotive crash protection, aerospace components, architectural structures, soundproofing, medical implants

Titanium

Advantages	Disadvantages
Exceptional strength-to-weight ratio (strong as steel but 45% lighter) Highly corrosion resistant (even to saltwater and chlorine) Biocompatible (non-toxic and non-reactive in human body) High melting point (1,668°C) for extreme temperature applications	Expensive (3-5x more than steel) Difficult to machine (requires special tools and techniques) Poor thermal conductivity (not ideal for heat transfer) Limited availability (complex extraction process)

Uses: Aircraft components, medical implants, marine hardware, high-performance automotive parts, sports equipment, jewelry

Coated Metals

Advantages	Disadvantages
Enhanced corrosion resistance (protects base metal from rust/oxidation) Improved durability (extends lifespan of metal components) Better aesthetic appeal (available in various colors/finishes) Specialized surface properties (non-stick, antimicrobial, etc.) Cost-effective protection (cheaper than solid corrosion-resistant alloys)	Additional processing cost (extra manufacturing step) Potential coating failure (chipping, peeling, or scratching) Environmental concerns (some coatings contain toxic chemicals) Limited repair options (damaged coatings often require complete reapplication) Thickness variation (can affect dimensional tolerances)

Uses: Automotive bodies, appliances, construction materials, food packaging, electronic components, industrial machinery, marine equipment

Common Coating Types:

• Galvanized (zinc coating)
• Powder coating
• Anodized (for aluminum)
• Electroplated (chrome, nickel, etc.)
• Painted
• Plastic/polymer coatings

Liquid crystal displays (LCD):

Advantages	Disadvantages
High quality image Slim/compact for portable devices Range of colours in display (256)	More expensive than traditional cathode ray screens Picture quality can be worse than traditional TV Expensive to replace Fragile

Uses: Computers, TV, phones, screens

Nanomaterials:

Advantages	Disadvantages
Unique properties Used to extend battery life Used to miniaturise components/tools/electronics	Expensive New and uknown technology

Uses: Delivering drugs, additives in sunscreen, phone batteries

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