Feature

Material comforts

Qian Yang, Technical Specialist at Goodfellow, explores the ever-changing world of materials facing design engineers frantically pursuing lighter and greener products.

02/06/2025 16:54:23

There has never been greater scrutiny and interest in materials, with the pursuit of net zero and a more sustainable world bringing ‘how we get there’ into far greater scrutiny. Add in the recent media furore over Trump’s tariffs and the ‘to-ing and fro-ing’ on steel and aluminium, then you begin to build a picture of what is an ever-complex landscape.

So, imagine how design engineers are currently feeling. These are the people responsible for exploring which materials they can use to deliver the performance required by their clients. Yet, at the same time, they need to factor in how they can do it more lightly and cost-effectively and, the million-dollar conundrum, ensure it is kinder to the environment.

Fortunately, there are several exciting trends in materials science that are shaping the future of design engineering, and manufacturers are pursuing many of them.

Read the full article in DPA's June 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.