blog entry #5

MATERIALS FOR DESIGN

i've learnt that it is crucial to understand how its material is important to chemical product design and three interrelated problems are:

- selecting a material

- specifying a shape 

- choosing a manufacturing process

which will bring benefits to the product designs, leading to lower product costs, faster time-to-market and lastly a reduction in the number of in-service failures

-> choice of material is one of the most critical decisions that a chemical produc designer will make by determining its 

    -- strength

    -- durability 

    -- resistance to corrosion

-> and will affect its

    -- cost of production

    -- ease of manufacturing

    -- environment impact

-> other factors to consider

    -- cost

    -- performance

    -- safety

    -- environment impact

    -- recyclability 

some material properties are

- mechanical properties

- thermal properties

- magnetic properties

- fabrication properties

- environmental properties

in conclusion, "material for design" refers to the process of selecting and usin materials in the design of product. The goal of this process is to create a product that meets the desired functional, aesthetic and performance requirements while also being cost-effective and sustainable. by unnderstanding of the product's requirement, the designer can identify a range of materials that could be used to meet those requirements. the final material selection will be based on a number of factors, including the material's properties, cost, availability and sustainability. 

DESIGN FOR MATERIALS

it is possible to change a design so a particular material can be used in the product. "dessign for materials" refers to the process of designing a product with the specific materials in mind, this approach to design takes into account the material's properties and limitations, and it seeks to optimise the design to make the best use of material 

some benefits "design for materials" are:

- improved performance; can create a product that is more efficient and effective

- reduced weight; using materials that are stong and lightweight which can reduce weight and improve performance

- increased durability; can create a product that is more resistant to wear and tear

- lower cost; using materials that are cost-effective

some examples are: hair dryer

- the first hair dryer was made in 1890

Alexander-Ferdinand Godefroy was the man who had the idea of hairdryer, but he faced issue when he did his clients' hair, he would have to wait for the hair to be air dried and that would take hours depending on the hair. the users described it as looking like a torture device. 

- the hair dryer made 30 years later

Handy Hannah improved the version from the previous "torture device". the hair dryer is made from metal fitted with a wooden handle. the product is very heavy, weighing close to 1kg.. this design is not safe and it has caused several accidents involving overheating and electrocution, this shows that the use of materials is not appropriate 

- the hair dryer made in 1930's 

it was made out of only plastic and wood, it was a very popular item because of its design, it is also lightweight and its durable construction. 

this can come in handy for designers to think through and to assist them

accidental discovery of new materials can lead to new uses for existing materials, improved performance of exisitng materials, new materials with unique properties, and reduced costs. these benefits can be achieved by serendipitously exploring new materials and their properties, which can help scientists and engineers find new ways to solve problems and create new technologies. 

the importance of both approaches in the creation of successful products. material for design ensures that the product meets the desired requirements while design for materials ensures that the product is made in the most efficient and effective way possible. the approaches varies depending on the specific product. some cases need to focus primarily on material for design while other cases may need the importance to focus on design for specific materials. 

one unique example is the Tesla Model S, which is made with a variety of materials, including aluminium, steel, and carbon fiber. the use of these different materials has helped to create a car that is strong, lightweight and efficient :)