An excellent working relationship has been established between the Department, industry and national labs to foster technology transfer, research and development. Analytical facilities at the Major Analytical Instrumentation Center support UF researchers as well as other universities and industries in Florida and across the nation.

what do materials engineers do?

They're involved in the development, processing and testing of the materials used to create a range of products — from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and snow skis. They work with metals, ceramics, plastics, semiconductors and composites to create new materials that meet certain mechanical, electrical and chemical requirements. They also are involved in selecting materials for new applications. 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 materials engineers specialize in a particular material. For example, metallurgical engineers specialize in metals such as steel, and ceramic engineers develop ceramic materials and the processes for making them into useful products such as glassware or fiber optic communication lines. Source: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics