Who is this site for?

• Journalists, Science Policy analysts, and the general interested public. We would like to provide thumbnail sketches of the history of Materials Science and Engineering as a whole and of its many and diverse parts. Science policy may also need to differ from place to place. For example, should India, China, or Portugal pursue the same science policy as the US? Read our sketch of materials research in four peripheral European countries: Portugal, Spain, Greece, and Denmark.
• Scientists and engineers. The site can't be done without them. We are collaborating with the Materials Research Society and they will also help us address issues of interest to materials researchers.
• Historians. This is an experiment in the writing of history tackling the opportunities and difficulties of writing collaboratively and for the web. In addition we try to be a digital archive. The difficulties involved will probably spring from every page. Criticism would be most welcome. Read our stock-taking of the issues.
• Philosophers. For example: has nanoscience proven that atoms exist? Where is the boundary between natural and artificial materials?