Have you ever wondered what everyday things are made of - like your car, phone, furniture, clothes, ceramic and glass objects, or even a bridge or highway? This course explores the chemistry of solid state materials that make up the world around us, how we use them, and how they impact the environment. We’ll begin by examining the composition, structure, and chemical bonding of solid state materials to understand how these factors influence their properties. From there, we’ll explore how they are used in the real world, from electronics and construction to textiles, and consider the environmental impacts of their production and use, including carbon dioxide emissions and water quality concerns. Finally, we'll explore what happens to the materials at the end of their life cycle, focusing on reuse, recycling, and sustainable practices for reducing waste. Topics courses are 2 or 4 credit, in-depth, thematic courses that may be repeated for credit under a different theme. May be repeated up to two times for a maximum of 12 credits.
- Teacher: Yuemei Zhang