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Subject offerings of new and developing areas of knowledge in materials science and engineering intended to augment the existing curriculum. See Class Schedule or departmental course information for topics and prerequisites. Course Information: Approved for Letter and S/U grading. May be repeated in the same or separate terms if topics vary.

The emerging area of inorganic polymers made under ambient conditions leading to ceramic-like, solid materials describes materials which are scalable. They are rich in potential applications such as water purification, CO2 sequestration, mine tailing valorization as replacements for cements in the construction industry, refractory adhesives, acid or wear resistant coatings, and others. Alkali activated aluminosilicates can be made by inorganic polymerization at ambient temperatures, but when set, they behave like a ceramic. Acid-activated aluminosilicates are made with phosphoric acid. Other chemical compositions such as magnesium potassium phosphates and yttrium or zinc silicates appear to undergo similar inorganic polymerization reactions.