Special Issue on Exploring Material Science and Technology Innovations
Authors: Rajput Jeevitesh K. , Patel Kalpana , Srivastava Mudit , Kumar Vinod 
Published: December 2024

Materials science is one of the most dynamic areas of scientific research today, involving advanced nanotechnology and smart materials, and building on centuries of discovery, evolving from the early days of metallurgy. Each era of human civilization has been marked by the materials that define it—Bronze, Iron, Silicon—each enabling societies to develop tools, build infrastructure, and enhance their daily lives (Sass, 1998). Materials science was driven by trial and error. In ancient civilizations metals were produced by heating certain ores. These metals were used in tools, weapons, and building materials. This production continues in bronze age by combining copper and tin produced bronze, which have remarkable strangeness as compare to copper and tin. In next era human start new experiments with these materials like smelting and mixing and produce new materials for revolutionizing agriculture, warfare, and transportation (Smith, 1975, Callister and Rethwisch, 2020). The 20th century saw a transformation in the field, with the development of synthetic polymers, alloys, and composites, as well as the discovery of semiconductors that enabled the digital revolution. This period also marked the advent of materials science as a formal discipline, with researchers developing a deeper understanding of atomic structures and bonding mechanisms that could explain material properties. Today, advancements in nanotechnology allow scientists to manipulate materials at the atomic level, enabling the creation of materials with unprecedented properties and functionalities.

A fundamental aim of materials scientist is innovation, understanding and controlling the properties of materials like mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical. Determine how materials interact with their environment and how they can be applied in various technology innovations. Materials are now engineered to exhibit specific properties tailored for distinct applications, ranging from ultralight yet strong aerospace components to flexible, conductive materials for wearable electronics. Materials with unique electrical properties, such as semiconductors, have revolutionized electronics, enabling the development of computers, smartphones, and other digital technologies. Similarly, materials with exceptional strength-to-weight ratios are essential in industries like automotive and aerospace, where reducing weight without compromising strength is crucial (Rao and Cheetham, 2001, Negahdary and Mabbott, 2025).

Considering, the aim of materials scientist, special issue entitled “Exploring materials science and Technological Innovation” is planned. This enables researchers a unique platform to discuss and highlight innovations in nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and quantum dots, which exhibit unique electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. These materials are being applied across fields like medicine, where nanoscale drug delivery systems target disease sites directly, and electronics, where ultra-thin materials can lead to more powerful and energy-efficient devices. Biomaterials have revolutionized healthcare, offering possibilities for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and advanced medical devices.

The advancements in the field of material science are such as allow for unprecedented control over material structure and composition for various interesting applications. The smart materials like piezoelectric materials that generate electricity when subjected to pressure—are opening new frontiers in robotics, automation, medical devices, and consumer and portable electronics devices. This issue showcased developments in materials/technologies related to sustainable development.

The materials science is positioned to drive innovation in many domains for various applications. As the researchers are developing new compositions of materials with enhanced properties, such as higher strength, flexibility, conductivity, applications in renewable energy. The advance and sustainable materials, environment friendly manufacturing processes, and biodegradable polymers are expected to play key roles as the society strives for responsible resource management. The continued integration of computational methods will also be essential, allowing scientists to harness the power of big data to predict and model material behaviour more accurately.

This special issue entitled “Exploring materials science and Technological Innovation” includes the article from national conference on exploring material science and technology innovations (NCEMSTI)-2024 that have platform for the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, and open dialogue. Materials science will undoubtedly continue to evolve, shaping the future. Through continued exploration and innovation, this field will play a central role in building a sustainable, technologically advanced, and resilient world.