Art of Presentations

25 Useful Presentation Topics for Science

By: Author Shrot Katewa

25 Useful Presentation Topics for Science

We are mostly asked questions about Presentation Design. But, sometimes, we do have our patrons reaching out to us to seek help with the “content” that needs to be created even before we begin with the design of the presentation.

So, today we are sharing a few really easy-to-cover super useful presentation topics for Science. This is especially helpful for all those teachers and parents who are looking to increase the curiosity of aspiring students and children.

So, let’s dive right into it –

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

1. Big Bang Theory – Origin of Our Universe

As a kid, I was always curious about how we came into existence! How the planet Earth was created? How did it all start? This is a great topic to really generate and at times, even quench the curiosity of your students or children. While it is a great topic for presentation in class, it is also an equally good topic for a dinner conversation with your kids.

2. DNA structure

Our DNA is the very core of our life. If the Big Bang Theory is how the universe came into being, DNA is where our personal journey begins. While the structure of DNA is quite fascinating, the impact it has on our lives and how it affects our characteristics is mind-boggling!

It is another great topic for a Science Presentation. Do keep in mind, use of visual aids will most likely improve comprehension and retention among your audience.

3. Gene Editing & Its Uses

In case you choose to go with the previous topic of DNA, Gene Editing serves as a perfect extension of that topic even though it can be a great topic in itself. Sharing insights on Gene Editing and how it works, can showcase the capacity of human endeavors and its resolve to make things better.

4. Important Discoveries of Science

Okay, so this can really be a fun topic. As a kid, it was always fascinating to know about some of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions.

Be it Penicillium or the first flight by the Wright Brothers, such topics allow you to take your audience on a journey and relive the times in which these discoveries and inventions were made. The thing that I like the most about this topic is that it doesn’t have to be completed in one session.

In fact, this can be turned into a knowledge series of multiple sessions as the list of discoveries is endless.

5. Aerodynamics

Most kids and students are really fascinated with planes. But, only a few really understand the basic principles of how a plane works. Explaining Aerodynamics can be an interesting topic.

It also allows you to introduce props such as a plane and practical exercises such as creating your own plane and analyzing its aerodynamics. The introduction of visuals for such a topic can greatly enhance the learning experience.

So this is a topic that most of the kids and students would have at least heard of, most might know about it a little. But very few would really understand how gravity truly changed our concepts not just on Earth, but also beyond our Planet in our Solar System.

Gravity alone is responsible for the tectonic shift of mindset that the Earth was the center of our Solar System to the fact that the Sun is the center of our Solar System around which the rest of the planets revolve. That and much more!

Explaining the stories of Galileo who first challenged this assumption and how Newton turned everything we knew upside down (almost literally!)

7. Photosynthesis

Another interesting Science topic for a presentation.

How do non-moving organisms produce and consume food? How Photosynthesis is not just limited to trees but virtually drives all lifeforms on Earth through the transfer of energy.

Also, touching upon the fact how Photosynthesis has led to the revolutionary discovery of Solar cells and how it is potentially going to be powering our future.

8. Artificial Intelligence – Boon or Bane

When it comes to Artificial Intelligence, there is a lot that we can do to engage the curiosity of our kids and students. It is an evolving part of Science as we haven’t fully applied and utilized AI.

One of the reasons this can be a great topic is because it engages your students or kids to really think. You may consider forming 2 teams and allowing an open debate on how AI could be a boon or a bane – a great way to promote cross-learning.

9. Ocean – The Unknown World

Our Ocean is what sets our planet Earth apart from the other planets in our solar planet. It is not only one of the main factors contributing to life on earth, the Ocean holds a world of its own with hidden creatures which have only recently been explored.

There is a lot to cover when it comes to the Ocean. Don’t limit your imagination to just lifeforms as you can even talk about treasures troves contained in the ships that sank!

10. Astronomy

So I have a confession to make. Which is this – Astronomy astonished me as a kid, and it amazes me even now! There have been countless nights that I gazed at the stars in the sky in amazement trying to locate a planet, and falling stars and other man-made satellites in the sky.

This is not just an amazing topic for a presentation, but if you could get hold of a telescope for a practical session, it will make a night to remember for the kids and the students!

11. Light and its effects

This is another topic that can turn into a great practical session!

Presentations can be accompanied by a trip to the physics lab or even using equipment like a prism to take the session experience of your audience to a totally different level! Experiencing the various colors that form light is one thing, but understanding how it impacts almost every single thing in our day-to-day activities makes us admire it.

12. Atoms – Building Blocks of Matter

While there is a whole universe outside of our Planet, there is a completely different world that exists when we go granular inside any matter.

There are literally billions and billions of atoms inside just our human body. Each atom has its own world making it as diverse as you can imagine.

How these atoms interact with each other and what makes an atom can be a really engaging topic to bubble the curiosity of the students or your kids!

13. Sound & Waves

Another super interesting presentation topic for Science for kids and students is to understand how Sound works.

There are several things to cover as part of this ranging from simple waves to frequency and resonance experiments. Sound is not just a good topic for a presentation but also for experiments and physical demos.

14. Technology

Technology as a topic has a lot to cover. As we all know that technology touches each of our lives on a daily basis, students can find this topic relatable quite easily. The canvas for exploration and presentation is quite broad giving you a wide range of technology topics to present from.

15. Human Brain

Many believe that we only use 10% of the capacity of our human brain. We have to date only barely managed to understand how our brain works.

Even the parts that we have gathered an understanding about, we don’t quite fully understand. The human brain has remained a topic of astonishment for scientists for a long time. It is only logical to conclude that if presented effectively, this can be a good presentation topic on science.

16. Evolution

When Charles Darwin presented his Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection in his book “The Origin of Species”, it took the world of science by storm.

How the species have evolved over a period of millions of years is quite interesting. There were quite a few interesting learnings that Darwin had and he shared that as a summary. This is something that has been also covered in the TV series Cosmos by Neil Degrasse Tyson.

I highly recommend giving this TV series a watch to get inspiration for some topics for presentation.

17. Magnetism

The majority of the kids have handled and spent hours in awe playing with a magnet. Many try to understand how a magnet really works! But, only a few are able to really understand the science behind it.

Magnetism can be a really fun topic to give a presentation on. Additionally, this topic also allows enough space to display, experiment, and have fun with real magnet and iron filings to showcase the effect of magnetism.

18. Electricity

Electricity is pretty much everywhere.

Today, if there is no electricity, the region is considered underdeveloped or backward. The discovery and the use of electricity is probably one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century.

It has been single-handedly responsible for industrialization, powering growth, and the development of the human race.

19. Steam Engine

Steam Engine was the first step of the human race towards powered locomotives.

From the discovery of the steam engine to how it was responsible for creating a time standard and time zones along with the stories related to it, can all be very fascinating and take you back in time to relive history!

A perfect presentation topic for science students.

20. Science of Medicine

No list of presentation topics for Science would be complete without mentioning medicine and its benefits.

The discovery of medicines and drugs has been responsible for nearly doubling the average human age. The impact is far-reaching with several pros and cons that constitute an interesting topic for presentation.

21. Periodic Table

Students often find this topic very dull. However, if you can help them understand the beauty and significance of this periodic table, it can be an amazing topic.

To really understand how Mendeleev could predict the existence of various elements even before they were discovered, is mind-boggling!

The periodic table is such a perfect table that explains how the elements are arranged in a well-structured manner in nature. This topic can be turned into a very interesting topic but a bit of effort and some out-of-the-box thinking may be required.

22. Buoyancy

Okay, so we all may have heard the story of Archimedes in a bathtub and how he shouted “Eureka” when he managed to solve the problem that was tasked to him. He did this using the Buoyancy principle.

While this story is something we relate to buoyancy the most, there is a lot more than we can truly learn and apply using this principle. This can be a very helpful topic for a presentation as well as a practical science experiment.

23. Health & Nutrition

Health & Nutrition is a very important aspect of our life. Its importance is often not completely understood by kids and students alike. Presenting about Health & Nutrition can go a long way to benefit the students to maintain a very healthy life!

24. Our Solar System

Our Solar System is a topic that is mostly taught since you join the school.

However, while most of us know about our solar system, there are enough mysteries about it to capture and captivate the attention of your audience. Questions like – why is Pluto not a planet anymore?

Or other questions such as – are we alone in this universe or even topics around the Sun as a star or even the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter can all lead to great engaging presentations and discussions.

25. Stem Cell

Stem cell research has become cutting-edge medical research. Thus, it is often a hot topic for discussion but is often not completely understood.

This topic will also provide you an opportunity to engage your audience in a debate that could be centered around the ethics of stem cells and their application.

This is a perfect topic as this allows your students or kids to learn and share their opinion with others.

Science is a vast world. Even though there are several other topics that can be covered, we decided to list topics that are relatively common such that it widely applies to a large set of people. If you have shortlisted your presentation topic and are looking for help to create a visually appealing presentation that captures the attention of your audience, be sure to reach out to us!

Our goal on this blog is to create content that helps YOU create fantastic presentations; especially if you have never been a designer. We’ve started our blog with non-designers in mind, and we have got some amazing content on our site to help YOU design better.

If you have any topics in mind that you would want us to write about, be sure to drop us a comment below. In case you need us to work with you and improve the design of your presentation, write to us on [email protected] . Our team will be happy to help you with your requirements.

Lastly, your contribution can make this world a better place for presentations . All you have to do is simply share this blog in your network and help other fellow non-designers with their designs!

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The field of Materials Science & Engineering is evolving dramatically as we enter the 21st Century. What began as the study of metals and ceramics in the 1960s has broadened in recent years to include semiconductors and soft materials. With this evolution and broadening of the discipline, current research projects span multiple materials classes and build on expertise in many different fields. As a result, current research in Materials Science and Engineering is increasingly defined by materials systems rather than materials classes.

At Cornell, the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MS&E) has adopted this new systems-based vision of the field by defining four strategic areas which are considered to be critical for today’s emerging research. The four strategic research areas are Energy Production and Storage, Electronics and Photonics, Bioinspired Materials and Systems, and Green Technologies.

Materials Science & Engineering is an exciting and vibrant interdisciplinary research field. Cornell MS&E draws upon its world-class faculty, innovative researchers, state-of-the-art facilities and highly collaborative research environment to respond to challenging technological and societal demands both in the present and the future.

Energy Production

Energy Production and Storage

Energy research will prove to be the most prosperous growth area for the department, the College and the University. The inevitability of an energy crisis and global climate change has intensified efforts in alternative energy research around the world. The excitement building around this sector is reminiscent of the early years of the information technology revolution. Among the many possible sources of alternative energy, the following areas are particularly aligned with the current materials research at Cornell as they play to our existing strengths:  photocatalysis, photovoltaics, thermoelectrics, phononics, batteries  and  supercapacitors .

Relevant Research Areas: 

  • Energy Systems
  • Advanced Materials Processing
  • Materials Synthesis and Processing
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Polymers and Soft Matter
  • Semiconductor Physics and Devices

Electronics & Photonics

Electronics & Photonics

The use of semiconductor devices and circuits will continue to play a major role in modern life. Therefore electronics and photonics are considered premier growth areas. As feature sizes decrease, incremental research based on current methods and materials is unlikely to enable Moore's Law to continue. New materials and processing techniques are needed. Advances in nanoscale fabrication have led to recent advances in this field. We have targeted the following areas: oxide semiconductors, 3D integration, materials beyond silicon, high K and low K dielectrics, plasmonics, spintronics, and multiferroics.

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Bioinspired Materials and Systems

Bioinspired Materials and Systems

Scientists and engineers are increasingly turning to nature for inspiration. The solutions arrived at by natural selection are often a good starting point in the search for answers to scientific and technical problems. Designing and building bioinspired devices or systems can tell us more about the original animal or plant model. The following areas are particularly aligned with the current materials research at Cornell:  bioinspired composites, engineered protein films for adhesion, lubrication and sensing applications , molecular tools for in-vitro and in-vivo imaging (C-Dots, FRET), as well as biomaterials for tissue engineering and drug delivery.

  • Biomedical Engineering
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Green Technologies

Green Technologies

The 21st century has been called the "century of the environment." Neither governments nor individual citizens can any longer assume that social challenges such as pollution, dwindling natural resources and climate change can be set aside for future generations. Strategies for clean and sustainable communities need to be established now, community by community. A dawning era of creativity and innovation in "green technology" (also known as "clean technology") is bringing the promise of a healthier planet (as well as the prospect of growing businesses) that can sustain its health.  We have targeted green composites and new systems for CO2 capture and conversion as areas of future growth .

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Find more at TeachEngineering.org .

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  • Fun Look at Material Science

Lesson Fun Look at Material Science

Grade Level: 11 (9-12)

(three class periods)

Lesson Dependency: None

Subject Areas: Chemistry, Physics

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  • Battle of the Beams

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Engineers make a world of difference

Creative engineering materials are continuously being developed, selected and used in all facets of industries, from consumer products to space exploration. Chemistry and physics are the backbone sciences in this field. Purposefully designed materials provide the means for modern products and tools to be built. Humanity has had a firm grasp of engineering materials and how to manipulate performance for centuries. However, until recently, we have not had the tools to fully understand the underlying mechanisms to such enhancements and provide optimized material solutions. Scientists and engineers develop and use basic principles to design new materials for different and ever-demanding applications. Materials design and behavior assessment is a function of mathematics, experimentation and a firm understanding of metallurgy and material science principles. Collaboratively, we are able to produce optimized materials that serve multiple functions within a given application and environment.

After this lesson, students should be able to:

  • Describe basic structures of materials.
  • Relate basic structures to four classes of materials.
  • Identify modes of failure, mechanical behavior and relate to classes of materials.
  • Explain materials development for engineering design requirements.
  • Discuss various applications of materials and role in society.

Educational Standards Each TeachEngineering lesson or activity is correlated to one or more K-12 science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) educational standards. All 100,000+ K-12 STEM standards covered in TeachEngineering are collected, maintained and packaged by the Achievement Standards Network (ASN) , a project of D2L (www.achievementstandards.org). In the ASN, standards are hierarchically structured: first by source; e.g. , by state; within source by type; e.g. , science or mathematics; within type by subtype, then by grade, etc .

Ngss: next generation science standards - science, international technology and engineering educators association - technology.

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State Standards

Texas - science.

Basic chemistry or physics concepts, such as the effects of temperature on solubility, force concept and safe laboratory concepts.

(In advance, prepare to show students the 28-slide Introduction to Material Science and Engineering Presentation , a PowerPoint file, and gather materials to conduct a class demonstration. See materials and instructions, below. The presentation includes basic information regarding material classes, material applications, and material behavior and serves as a foundation for acquiring basic knowledge for the remainder of the lesson. Allow 20-30 minutes for the presentation. The class demo illustrates the different classes of materials and material behavior, and engages the students in a review of presentation content.)

What is material science? (Listen to student ideas.) If it weren't for material scientists and engineers, we would have never made it to the moon, nor would your laptop work!

What do I mean when I say "materials"? What are the different classes of materials? Why are they created? What are their characteristics? How do we test them? How are they used? That's what we're going to investigate today. Let's take a look.

(Show the attached PowerPoint presentation, or alternative teaching resources. Then conduct the class demo.)

Materials List for Class Demo

  • 1 ceramic tile or small plate (example ceramic)
  • 1 Popsicle stick (example composite)
  • 1 paper clip or copper electrical wire/tube (example metal)
  • 2 plastic bags (example polymer)
  • Demo Worksheet , one per student

(Hand out the worksheets to students and instruct them to fill in the answers during the demo.)

(Show students the tile, Popsicle stick, paper clip and plastic bag.) Which class of materials does each of these materials belong to? (Wait for a response, then proceed.)

(Bend the Popsicle stick slightly and release.) What type of deformation has occurred? (Continue bending until the wooden stick breaks.) Describe the failure of this material on your worksheet. Is it ductile, brittle or a combination? Did any permanent deformation occur?

(Bend the paper clip or copper wire until there is permanent deformation.) Why didn't the paper clip or wire break? (Continue bending the wire until it breaks.) Record your observations. What type of failure occurred?

(Show the ceramic tile to students and try bending it.) Will the ceramic permanently deform when I hit it with a hammer, or break?

(Place the ceramic tile into a plastic bag and seal the bag making sure all air is evacuated. Use the hammer to smash the ceramic tile until it breaks. Show students the remains and have them describe the failure on their worksheets.) What type of failure occurred?

(Show students the other plastic bag.) What type of deformation, if any, will occur if the bag is stretched? (Briefly stretch the bag until a small amount of permanent deformation is visible.) What type of deformation occurred?

(Continue stretching the bag until it tears.) What type of failure occurred?

(Have students complete the remaining questions on the worksheet. Then conduct the associated activity.)

Lesson Background and Concepts for Teachers

Material science has evolved during the last 40 years as different classes of materials became more and more competitive with one another. The four primary general classes of materials are metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. What makes these classes of materials unique is their composition, bonding and structure. Additionally, these distinct characteristics govern the applications for using each class of material. Following is a general summary of the four classes. Additional readings are suggested in the References section.

Material science is defined as the relationship of properties to its chemistry (composition) and structure. Understanding these relationships involves interdisciplinary knowledge of chemistry, physics and metallurgy. Provided engineers and scientists understand the type of atoms present and their arrangement, many properties may be understood and optimized for practical use. Chemical composition is fundamental in understanding any material type. Composition is the amount of an individual element that makes up a material. For example, steel is composed of iron and carbon and glass is composed of silicon, calcium, sodium, aluminum and oxygen. The structure can be defined as the arrangement of such elements (atoms), micro-features and macroscopic features.

Atomic structure is, as the name suggests, a particular arrangement of atoms and the electron structure. From chemistry, three primary forms of bonding exist: metallic, covalent and ionic. It is the atomic structure and interaction between elements that dictates which type of bonding prevails. Of course, additional bonding, such as hydrogen and London dispersion forces (van der Waals) exist and become important for polymers. For instance, metal alloys are strictly metallic bonding. Two metal elements with incomplete valence shells combine, filling the sub-valence shells, with remaining electrons present as a cloud. Interestingly, this electron arrangement is why metals are good electrical conductors. Ceramics are primarily bonded by strong covalent bonds and a few ionic bonds. The difference between the two is a sharing of valence electrons and transfer of valence electrons, respectively. The nature of these bonding types is why most ceramics are electrical insulators. Additionally, the nature of bonding is the source for many physical material properties and eventual mechanical properties. Bond strength is highly correlated to melting point, elastic stiffness and thermal expansion—meaning, the stronger the bonds the larger driving force is needed to separate such atoms.

For most solid materials, these arrangements are periodic and possess long-range order, with the exception of polymers and amorphous glasses. These periodic structures are called crystal structures and are present in seven primitive arrangements: cubic, hexagonal, triclinic, monoclinic, trigonal, tetragonal, and orthorhombic. These "lattices" are what make up the microstructure. Also, additional packing sequences that exist within each primitive arrangement create a total of 14 unit cells; most notable are body-centered cubic (BCC) and face-centered cubic (FCC). In addition to atomic bonding, these long-range atomic arrangements dictate inherent physical/mechanical properties and differentiate materials. For instance, BCC iron is much less ductile than FCC copper. The microstructure also includes larger features such as an array of crystals or grains, or a multitude of different solid phases. These features can be viewed using optical methods that do not require diffraction techniques or high magnification.

The macrostructure is the length scale that is comprised of a collection of microstructure features that show distinct characteristics. For example, collections of grains in a metal can be viewed at low magnification (x10) and appear to be flow lines or stripes. This length scale can provide very important details and can influence mechanical behavior of materials. A banded structure of steel can provide insights to fabrication methods and material strength. All of these length scales and distinct material features collectively make a material strong, fracture resistant, corrosion resistant, temperature resistant and ductile. However, no one material can have all of these wonderful attributes.

Pure Metals and Metal Alloys: Metal alloys are mixtures of two or more metallic elements. As mentioned earlier, metals are unique in that they are excellent electrical and thermal conductors. These physical properties are due to the nature of metallic bonding. Some metals also possess magnetic properties. Metals also possess a large capacity of mechanical deformation (aka ductility). Some metal bars can be shaped easily at room temperature. Most metals also have distinct strength levels: a yield stress (YS), and ultimate stress (UTS) and a fracture stress (FS), which collectively add to an entire mechanical response known as stress-strain behavior. To facilitate strength manipulation, metals have the capacity to be altered through mechanical, thermal or thermal mechanical treatments to achieve desired properties. Steel heat treatment for a hammer is different from that of a nail.

Ceramics: Ceramics are typically covalent-bonded solids that have very high melting points and stiffness. However, typically these materials are regarded as brittle. In contrast to metals and alloys, ceramics typically do not have distinct YSs and UTSs, but do have FSs. Ceramics are also useful in super-high temperature and corrosive environments. One advantage to the chemical compositions and bonding nature of ceramics is their inertness to many different corrosive media and oxidation environments. High temperature applications are suitable because of high strength retention at operating temperatures. Typical metals are too soft to sustain any mechanical loads at temperatures greater than 0.5 the melting point. Because of high stiffness, most ceramics are inherently hard and therefore abrasion- and wear-resistant. The hardest materials known are high-directional, covalent-bonded ceramics.

Polymers: Polymers are combinations of long-chained, covalent-bonded atoms that are mutually attracted by weaker bonding forces. Classic examples of polymers—car tires, Ziploc® bags, Kevlar®, glue and plastic water bottles—show the range of polymers that are manufactured and the variety of mechanical properties. Typically, polymers vary from very flexible, ductile materials to very hard and brittle materials. Polymers and their structures are dependent on the chemical composition of the base material and any fillers, extenders and plasticizers. Additionally, chemical composition also determines the degree of crystallinity in polymers. Typically, polymer chains are completely random and tangled. Depending on the chemistry, additives and stress state, these chains can obtain some periodic arrangement. Although, this arrangement is not counted as long-range order, polymers may possess short-range order.

Composite Materials: Composites are very common and not as scientific as one would think. Since ancient times, clay and straw have been mixed together to improve brick strength. Concrete, plywood, fiberglass and steel rebar are all common materials that are categorized as composites. In general, functional engineering materials for specific applications involve making composites from metal-ceramic, ceramic-ceramic, polymer-metal and polymer-polymer combinations. Depending on the application and properties required, different types of composite are selected. Composites allow for engineers and scientists to achieve unique property combinations that individual materials could not achieve. For instance, embedding ceramic particles in an aluminum or copper matrix improves both flexural strength and wear resistance, while maintaining a particular degree of toughening. However, aluminum alone is not very wear resistant and the ceramic has poor toughness. These unique properties are attractive and may not be provided by conventional materials.

All classes of material collectively account for all tangible objects on Earth. The field of material science enables the understanding and improvement of existing and new materials with the potential to catapult humanity to new frontiers.

The wealth of information in this lesson is adequate to intrigue students to consider pursuing paths of study in material science. The introductory presentation introduces the general classes of materials, terminology and applications. In general, students enjoy watching things break, especially if hammers are involved. How perfect, then, to introduce them to material science through the demonstration, as a way to reinforce the concepts relating all four material classes. Conducting the associated activity, Battle of the Beams , provides students with more insight into composite structures, while they apply concepts, and fabricate and test beams.

Watch this activity on YouTube

amorphous: A solid state phase that lacks any long-range periodic order and may lack significant short-range order.

body-centered cubic: Closed packed cubic atomic arrangement in which atoms are located on each cube corner and one atom in cube center.

Bravais lattice: Three-dimensional geometric arrangement of atoms or molecules or ions composing a crystal.

brittle: Ability of a material to break, snap, crack or fail easily when subjected to external loads.

ductility: Ability of a material to undergo permanent deformation through cross-section reductions and elongation without fracture.

elastic deformation: Reversible alteration of the form or dimensions of a solid body under stress.

face-centered cubic: Closed packed cubic atomic arrangement in which atoms are located on each cube corner and one atom located at the cube face centers.

fracture strength: Strength of material at fracture.

mechanical behavior: Behavior of materials when subjected to external mechanical loads.

metallurgy: A branch of science that deals with the properties of metals.

plastic deformation: Irreversible alteration of the form or dimension of a solid body under stress.

strain: Describes displacement of particles in a deforming body. Commonly represented by ratio of length changed and initial length (engineering strain). delta L / L = e

stress: Description of force exerted on an object over a defined cross-sectional area. Stress = Force/Area

toughness: Able to withstand great strain without tearing or cracking.

ultimate tensile strength: Measured stress at the onset of necking. Graphically represents the highest stress on stress-strain curve.

yield strength: Measured stress at the onset of plastic deformation.

Young's modulus: Ratio of stress/strain. A measure of material stiffness.

Worksheet: During the teacher-led class demo, have students fill in the answers on the Demo Worksheet , and answer the remaining questions after the demo is over. Review students' answers to gauge their comprehension of the subject. Have students keep the worksheets handy for reference during the associated activity.

Post-Lesson Quiz: Administer the attached Material Science Quiz , composed of 18 multiple-choice questions covering the basic aspects of material science topics covered in this lesson. Alternatively, administer the quiz after students complete the associated activity. Review students' answers to gauge their comprehension of the subject.

Research Paper: Assign students to each select a material or material system from any of the four classes of materials, research the material and write four-page double-spaced reports about its uniqueness and relevant applications. Require papers to include the following (with corresponding points given):

  • Selection of a real material or material system (5 pts)
  • Accurate identification of material class (5 pts)
  • List of pertinent physical and mechanical properties (20 pts)
  • List of three relevant applications in which the selected material is used (20 pts)
  • A discussion relating physical and mechanical properties to selected applications, including justifications for why the material is used (30 pts)
  • Complete sentences and proper grammar (5 pts)
  • Well organized with a continuous flow of thought (10 pts)
  • Four pages long, double-spaced (5 pts)

Stronger-Smaller-Cleaner-Smarter: Making Stuff Activity Guide, Making Stuff: Education and Outreach. NOVA beta, PBS Online, WGBH Educational Foundation. Accessed March 22, 2012. (Author-recommended additional resources for material science reviews and introduction videos) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/making-stuff.html

topics for presentation in material science

Students explore the basic characteristics of polymers through the introduction of two polymer categories: thermoplastics and thermosets. During teacher demos, students observe the unique behaviors of thermoplastics.

preview of 'Close Encounters of the Polymer Kind' Lesson

Students create beams using Laffy Taffy and water, and a choice of various reinforcements (pasta, rice, candies) and fabricating temperatures. Student groups compete for the highest strength beam and measure flexure strength with three-point bend tests and calculations.

preview of 'Battle of the Beams' Activity

Over several days, students learn about composites, including carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers, and their applications in modern life. This prepares students to be able to put data from an associated statistical analysis activity into context as they conduct meticulous statistical analyses to evalua...

preview of 'Repairing Cracked Steel Structures with Carbon Fiber Patches' Lesson

Carter, Giles F. and Donald E. Paul. Materials Science & Engineering . ASM International, December 2006.

Hertzberg, Richard W. Deformation and Fracture Mechanics of Engineering Materials . 4th edition. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996.

Contributors

Supporting program, acknowledgements.

This digital library content was developed by the University of Houston's College of Engineering under National Science Foundation GK-12 grant number DGE-0840889. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policies of the NSF and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.

Last modified: February 25, 2020

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PhD Dissertation Defense Slides Design: Start

  • Tips for designing the slides
  • Presentation checklist
  • Example slides
  • Additional Resources

Purpose of the Guide

This guide was created to help ph.d. students in engineering fields to design dissertation defense presentations. the guide provides 1) tips on how to effectively communicate research, and 2) full presentation examples from ph.d. graduates. the tips on designing effective slides are not restricted to dissertation defense presentations; they can be used in designing other types of presentations such as conference talks, qualification and proposal exams, and technical seminars., the tips and examples are used to help students to design effective presentation. the technical contents in all examples are subject to copyright, please do not replicate. , if you need help in designing your presentation, please contact julie chen ([email protected]) for individual consultation. .

  • Example Slides Repository
  • Defense slides examples Link to examples dissertation defense slides.

Useful Links

  • CIT Thesis and dissertation standards
  • Dissertations and Theses @ Carnegie Mellon This link opens in a new window Covers 1920-present. Full text of some dissertations may be available 1997-present. Citations and abstracts of dissertations and theses CMU graduate students have published through UMI Dissertation Publishing. In addition to citations and abstracts, the service provides free access to 24 page previews and the full text in PDF format, when available. In most cases, this will be works published in 1997 forward.
  • Communicate your research data Data visualization is very important in communicating your data effectively. Check out these do's and don'ts for designing figures.

Power Point Template and other Resources

  • CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 1
  • CEE Powerpoint Slide Presentation Template 2

Source: CEE Department Resources https://www.cmu.edu/cee/resources/index.html

  • CMU Powerpoint Slide Template

Source: CMU Marketing and Communications

https://www.cmu.edu/marcom/brand-standards/downloads/index.html

  • Use of CMU logos, marks, and Unitmarks

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Top 7 tips for your defense presentation

1. show why your study is important, remember, your audience is your committee members, researchers in other fields, and even the general public. you want to convince all of them why you deserve a ph.d. degree. you need to talk about why your study is important to the world. in the engineering field, you also need to talk about how your study is useful. try to discuss why current practice is problematic or not good enough, what needs to be solved, and what the potential benefits will be. , see how dr. posen and dr. malings explained the importance of their studies..

  • Carl Malings Defense Slides with Notes
  • I. Daniel Posen Defense Slides with Notes

2. Emphasize YOUR contribution 

Having a ph.d. means that you have made some novel contributions to the grand field. this is about you and your research. you need to keep emphasizing your contributions throughout your presentation. after talking about what needs to be solved, try to focus on emphasizing the novelty of your work. what problems can be solved using your research outcomes what breakthroughs have you made to the field why are your methods and outcomes outstanding you need to incorporate answers to these questions in your presentation. , be clear what your contributions are in the introduction section; separate what was done by others and what was done by you. , 3. connect your projects into a whole piece of work, you might have been doing multiple projects that are not strongly connected. to figure out how to connect them into a whole piece, use visualizations such as flow charts to convince your audience. the two slides below are two examples. in the first slide, which was presented in the introduction section, the presenter used a flow diagram to show the connection between the three projects. in the second slide, the presenter used key figures and a unique color for each project to show the connection..

topics for presentation in material science

  • Xiaoju Chen Defense Slides with Notes

4. Tell a good story 

The committee members do not necessarily have the same background knowledge as you. plus, there could be researchers from other fields and even the general public in the room. you want to make sure all of your audience can understand as much as possible. focus on the big picture rather than technical details; make sure you use simple language to explain your methods and results. your committee has read your dissertation before your defense, but others have not. , dr. cook and dr. velibeyoglu did a good job explaining their research to everyone. the introduction sessions in their presentations are well designed for this purpose. .

  • Laren M. Cook Defense Slides with Notes
  • Irem Velibeyoglu Defense with Notes

5. Transition, transition, transition

Use transition slides to connect projects , it's a long presentation with different research projects. you want to use some sort of transition to remind your audience what you have been talking about and what is next. you may use a slide that is designed for this purpose throughout your presentation. , below are two examples. these slides were presented after the introduction section. the presenters used the same slides and highlighted the items for project one to indicate that they were moving on to the first project. throughout the presentation, they used these slides and highlighted different sections to indicate how these projects fit into the whole dissertation. .

topics for presentation in material science

You can also use some other indications on your slides, but remember not to make your slides too busy.  Below are two examples. In the first example, the presenter used chapter numbers to indicate what he was talking about. In the second example, the presenter used a progress bar with keywords for each chapter as the indicator. 

topics for presentation in material science

Use transition sentences to connect slides 

Remember transition sentences are also important; use them to summarize what you have said and tell your audience what they will expect next. if you keep forgetting the transition sentence, write a note on your presentation. you can either write down a full sentence of what you want to say or some keywords., 6. be brief, put details in backup slides , you won't have time to explain all of the details. if your defense presentation is scheduled for 45 minutes, you can only spend around 10 minutes for each project - that's shorter than a normal research conference presentation focus on the big picture and leave details behind. you can put the details in your backup slides, so you might find them useful when your committee (and other members of the audience) ask questions regarding these details., 7. show your presentation to your advisor and colleagues, make sure to ask your advisor(s) for their comments. they might have a different view on what should be emphasized and what should be elaborated. , you also want to practice at least once in front of your colleagues. they can be your lab mates, people who work in your research group, and/or your friends. they do not have to be experts in your field. ask them to give you some feedback - their comments can be extremely helpful to improve your presentation. , below are some other tips and resources to design your defense presentation. .

  • Tips for designing your defense presentation

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  • Last Updated: Jan 9, 2024 11:18 AM
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Browse Course Material

Course info, instructors.

  • Prof. Darrell Irvine
  • Prof. Nicola Marzari

Departments

  • Materials Science and Engineering

As Taught In

  • Thermodynamics

Learning Resource Types

Fundamentals of materials science, course description.

This course focuses on the fundamentals of structure, energetics, and bonding that underpin materials science. It is the introductory lecture class for sophomore students in Materials Science and Engineering, taken with 3.014 and 3.016 to create a unified introduction to the subject. Topics include: an introduction to …

This course focuses on the fundamentals of structure, energetics, and bonding that underpin materials science. It is the introductory lecture class for sophomore students in Materials Science and Engineering, taken with 3.014 and 3.016 to create a unified introduction to the subject. Topics include: an introduction to thermodynamic functions and laws governing equilibrium properties, relating macroscopic behavior to atomistic and molecular models of materials; the role of electronic bonding in determining the energy, structure, and stability of materials; quantum mechanical descriptions of interacting electrons and atoms; materials phenomena, such as heat capacities, phase transformations, and multiphase equilibria to chemical reactions and magnetism; symmetry properties of molecules and solids; structure of complex, disordered, and amorphous materials; tensors and constraints on physical properties imposed by symmetry; and determination of structure through diffraction. Real-world applications include engineered alloys, electronic and magnetic materials, ionic and network solids, polymers, and biomaterials.

This course is a core subject in MIT’s undergraduate Energy Studies Minor . This Institute-wide program complements the deep expertise obtained in any major with a broad understanding of the interlinked realms of science, technology, and social sciences as they relate to energy and associated environmental challenges.

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Top 10 Interesting Topics for your Science Presentations

Man and woman discussing science topics on a presentation slide

Finding a topic for your science presentation can be a difficult task hence the need to pay much attention to this area. Not being able to find what you are looking for is a shame, mainly due to our having so much information at the tips of our fingers. Below are ten interesting science topics that will make your audience perked up and interested in continuing to read or listen to you.

This blog will give you ideas and useful tips for science PPT Templates , whether you’re an experienced speaker or just getting started.

10 Awesome Science Talk Ideas for Your Science Templates Presentation

  • The Science of Climate Change: This topic goes beyond basic worries pushing us to examine climate models, the complex interplay of greenhouse gases how ecosystems are affected, and possible fixes. How do we move to a future that lasts? What part does tech play in reducing climate change? These questions form the core of a gripping talk.
  • Artificial Intelligence: A Double-Edged Sword: Cutting through the buzz, AI offers a rich study of what it can do where it falls short, and the moral issues it raises. From cars that drive themselves to spotting diseases, AI is changing our world. How can we tap into its power while making sure it fits with what humans value? What does widespread use of AI mean for society?
  • Space Exploration: The Next Big Step: The search for alien life and Mars settlement keeps firing up our minds. What tech breakthroughs are pushing us into space? How do we keep long space trips going strong?
  • The Human Brain: Cracking Its Secrets: Our brain runs the show for our whole being, but we still don’t get how it works. How does it pick up new skills, store memories, and handle feelings? What can we find out by looking at brain problems? The research of brain science deeply demonstrates various interesting elements about the thinking process of the humans that can be quite surprising at times.
  • Genetic Engineering: God’s Way to Aeternities or Physician’s? Tweaking genes brings up big moral issues. How can we use gene editing to fight illnesses, boost crop output, or even make humans better? What good things and bad things might come from this strong tech?
  • Renewable Energy: Powering a Sustainable Future: As we try to make our world greener clean energy stands out as a key fix. What kinds of clean energy exist, and how well do they work?What hurdles do we need to jump to get everyone using it?
  • The Science of Sleep: Why We Need It: Without paying much attention, Sleep, which many people ignore, is a keystone of our bodies and minds, which enables us to function physically and mentally. What happens in the body and brain during sleep?How exactly does sleep deprivation harm our brain function and health?
  • Quantum Physics: The Strange World of the Very Small: Tread across the obscure grounds of quantum physics. To begin with, think of concepts such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum computing. What is the connection between the arcane theories and technology’s evolution and human perceptions of the universe?
  • The Human Microbiome: Our Invisible Partners: The Alphabet means that we have more than a million of tiny creatures that are living on and inside us and are responsible for the proper functioning of our body. Through the microbiome, the immune system, digestion, and mental health become functional and thus how does it contribute to them? Is it not possible for the entire human microbiome to treat different diseases?
  • The Science of Happiness: Finding Fulfillment: The main things involved in human happiness and the possibilities of them being measured, what do you think?

Design Tips to Create an Outstanding Science Presentation

A strong Science presentation goes beyond just the material; it’s also about your delivery. To make a presentation that hits home, think about these design pointers:

  • Keep it Simple: Don’t overwhelm your audience. Focus on main ideas and use easy-to-understand words.
  • Visual Appeal: Make your slides look good with quality pictures, charts, and diagrams that support your message. For instance, you can use interactive parts to explain tricky ideas.
  • Color Psychology: Pick colors that make people feel what you want them to and match your content.
  • Font Choices: Use fonts that are easy on the eyes and stay the same throughout your talk.
  • White Space: Give your science template slides room to breathe. Leave enough blank space to make them easier to read.
  • Consistency: Make everything look like it belongs together. Use the same colors font style, and layout in all your slides.
  • Storytelling: Give your talk a storyline with a clear start middle, and finish to hook your listeners.
  • Practice: Run through your talk to make sure you deliver it and at a steady pace with confidence.

By mixing captivating content with smart design, you can put together a science talk that teaches, motivates, and sticks in people’s minds. Keep in mind, to nail your science presentation, pick a subject you’re passionate about and then shape your material to fit your listeners.

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Karthika Sakthivel

I'm Karthika Sakthivel, a passionate presentation content writer with 8 months of experience specializing in crafting captivating narratives. I am proficient in writing engaging blogs and improving content approaches for PowerPoint presentations and various niches. As a dedicated writer who loves the written word, I bring a unique perspective and creativity to my work. I aim to deliver insightful and impactful content that helps your presentations stand out and connect with your audience.

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topics for presentation in material science

Research Topics

The department's more than 30 faculty members conduct a broad scope of research within the fields of materials science and engineering and welding engineering. Click to view faculty associated with a topic.

  • Biomaterials Biomaterials focuses on the development of materials to replace or augment human tissues. Advances in tissue engineering integrate discoveries from biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and materials science to produce three-dimensional structures that enable us to replace or repair damaged, missing or poorly functioning biological components.
  • Ceramic Science and Engineering The MSE department has high profile research programs in ceramics, with an emphasis on functional ceramics (such as sensors, fuel cells, batteries, catalysis, photovoltaics and superconductors), spanning their processing, characterization, and properties. While most of the work carried out in the department focuses on metal oxides, there is also interest in carbides, sulfides, and other advanced ceramic materials within the several areas of research.

Extensive facilities for characterizing the properties and structure of materials are available to our students and faculty. This includes the capability to test both existing and theoretical materials for qualities such as strength, plasticity, and hardness as well as explore the microstructure that leads to these properties. 

At the core of this effort is the Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) . CEMAS is the preeminent materials characterization hub for business and academia. The Center brings together multidisciplinary expertise to drive synergy and amplify our characterization capabilities, and thus challenge what is possible in electron microscopy. CEMAS is revolutionizing teaching and learning of advanced characterization techniques for students and researchers.

  • Computational Materials Science and Engineering   Computational Modeling of Materials researches how advances in computing power and software offer the potential to design, synthesize, choose, characterize and test the expected performance of materials in a virtual setting. These capabilities enable accelerated development and optimization of new materials across a range of applications. This vision has produced one of the leading programs in computational materials science and engineering.  
  • Corrosion Corrosion, the environmental degradation of materials, is a major area of research in materials science and engineering. In the MSE department, research conducted at the Fontana Corrosion Center (FCC) focuses on the study of corrosion in our effort to develop better methods to protect materials from the adverse impacts of the environment. 
  • Electronic, Photonic, and Magnetic Materials With an ever-growing range of important applications, and need for an expanding palette of functionalities and properties, there is substantial interest in the synthesis, processing, and characterization of new electronic, optical/photonic, and magnetic materials. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering, often in cross-disciplinary collaboration, is taking the lead in developing a wide variety of these advanced materials, as well as the novel devices and systems that make use of them.

Energy Materials Energy is a central aspect of our daily lives, as well as a critical lynch pin in everything from climate change to the economy to national security. Materials science and engineering research plays a truly enabling role in the creation, understanding, and application of new and advanced materials for clean and renewable energy generation, storage, and efficient use.

  • Mechanical Properties of Materials Research into the mechanical properties of materials includes testing both existing and theoretical materials for qualities such as strength, plasticity and hardness. Current programs range from simulating and modeling a variety of forming operations for metals to studying the wear behavior of composites. These investigations employ experimental techniques ranging from the atomic to industrial scale and their use in manufacturing operations. 

The demands of modern methods of transportation, structural systems, and manufacturing all require innovative alloys and processes of production. Our department, in collaboration with others at OSU and beyond, is uniquely structured to address these demands.

Our   materials modeling   capabilities, coupled with the advanced characterization facilities found in the   Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) , allows for a drastic reduction in the concept-to-application timeframe for new alloys. The world-renowned   Fontana Corrosion Center (FCC)   predicts and studies the degradation of materials systems. The   Welding Engineering   program and the   Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME)   help industry meet production challenges found with the application of advanced metals.

Polymers Polymers research at The Ohio State University spans multiple departments. In the Materials Science and Engineering and Welding Engineering programs the study of polymers involves two broad areas, biomaterials and polymers joining. Our biomaterials faculty research the use of polymers as they interact with living systems. This can involve such applications as polymer mesh as scaffolds for living cells, flexible electronics, drug delivery systems, and more. Polymers joining is part of our Welding Engineering program and explores new and efficient means of bonding different polymers, as well as, how to join to non-polymers.

Processing and Manufacturing Expertise in materials science goes well beyond understanding the properties of materials and how those properties can be applied. Materials scientists must also be adept at developing cost-effective techniques to synthesize, process and fabricate advanced materials that can meet the demands of a rapidly changing commercial marketplace.

Sensor Materials and Technologies Working from the successes of the NSF   Center for Industrial Sensors and Measurements   (CISM), a wide range of on-going activity in sensor materials and devices is carried out in our department spanning ceramic, polymers, and biomaterials sensor technologies.  Research in the field of Sensor Materials and Technologies includes such topics as electrochemical sensors for environmental and high-temperature applications, bulk, nanowires, and heterostructures, chemical sensors for breath and skin, implantable biosensors, devices for artificial olfaction, and much more.

  • Welding Engineering Welding Engineering is a complex engineering field requiring sound knowledge of a wide variety of engineering disciplines.  Following successful completion of standard engineering prerequisite courses, Welding Engineer students begin their welding engineering coursework. The broad range of topics covered include welding metallurgy of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, fundamental principles of industrial welding processes including Solid-State, Laser, Resistance, Electron Beam, and Arc Welding, computational modelling, heat flow, residual stress and distortion, fracture mechanics, weld design for various loading conditions, and non-destructive testing methods.  Welding Engineering graduates are well-prepared for solving complex problems and making critical engineering decisions. The highly sought-after graduates take jobs in a wide variety of industry sectors including nuclear, petrochemical, automotive, medical, ship building, aerospace, power generation, and heavy equipment manufacturing.

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How to make a scientific presentation

How to make a scientific presentation

Scientific presentation outlines

Questions to ask yourself before you write your talk, 1. how much time do you have, 2. who will you speak to, 3. what do you want the audience to learn from your talk, step 1: outline your presentation, step 2: plan your presentation slides, step 3: make the presentation slides, slide design, text elements, animations and transitions, step 4: practice your presentation, final thoughts, frequently asked questions about preparing scientific presentations, related articles.

A good scientific presentation achieves three things: you communicate the science clearly, your research leaves a lasting impression on your audience, and you enhance your reputation as a scientist.

But, what is the best way to prepare for a scientific presentation? How do you start writing a talk? What details do you include, and what do you leave out?

It’s tempting to launch into making lots of slides. But, starting with the slides can mean you neglect the narrative of your presentation, resulting in an overly detailed, boring talk.

The key to making an engaging scientific presentation is to prepare the narrative of your talk before beginning to construct your presentation slides. Planning your talk will ensure that you tell a clear, compelling scientific story that will engage the audience.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to make a good oral scientific presentation, including:

  • The different types of oral scientific presentations and how they are delivered;
  • How to outline a scientific presentation;
  • How to make slides for a scientific presentation.

Our advice results from delving into the literature on writing scientific talks and from our own experiences as scientists in giving and listening to presentations. We provide tips and best practices for giving scientific talks in a separate post.

There are two main types of scientific talks:

  • Your talk focuses on a single study . Typically, you tell the story of a single scientific paper. This format is common for short talks at contributed sessions in conferences.
  • Your talk describes multiple studies. You tell the story of multiple scientific papers. It is crucial to have a theme that unites the studies, for example, an overarching question or problem statement, with each study representing specific but different variations of the same theme. Typically, PhD defenses, invited seminars, lectures, or talks for a prospective employer (i.e., “job talks”) fall into this category.

➡️ Learn how to prepare an excellent thesis defense

The length of time you are allotted for your talk will determine whether you will discuss a single study or multiple studies, and which details to include in your story.

The background and interests of your audience will determine the narrative direction of your talk, and what devices you will use to get their attention. Will you be speaking to people specializing in your field, or will the audience also contain people from disciplines other than your own? To reach non-specialists, you will need to discuss the broader implications of your study outside your field.

The needs of the audience will also determine what technical details you will include, and the language you will use. For example, an undergraduate audience will have different needs than an audience of seasoned academics. Students will require a more comprehensive overview of background information and explanations of jargon but will need less technical methodological details.

Your goal is to speak to the majority. But, make your talk accessible to the least knowledgeable person in the room.

This is called the thesis statement, or simply the “take-home message”. Having listened to your talk, what message do you want the audience to take away from your presentation? Describe the main idea in one or two sentences. You want this theme to be present throughout your presentation. Again, the thesis statement will depend on the audience and the type of talk you are giving.

Your thesis statement will drive the narrative for your talk. By deciding the take-home message you want to convince the audience of as a result of listening to your talk, you decide how the story of your talk will flow and how you will navigate its twists and turns. The thesis statement tells you the results you need to show, which subsequently tells you the methods or studies you need to describe, which decides the angle you take in your introduction.

➡️ Learn how to write a thesis statement

The goal of your talk is that the audience leaves afterward with a clear understanding of the key take-away message of your research. To achieve that goal, you need to tell a coherent, logical story that conveys your thesis statement throughout the presentation. You can tell your story through careful preparation of your talk.

Preparation of a scientific presentation involves three separate stages: outlining the scientific narrative, preparing slides, and practicing your delivery. Making the slides of your talk without first planning what you are going to say is inefficient.

Here, we provide a 4 step guide to writing your scientific presentation:

  • Outline your presentation
  • Plan your presentation slides
  • Make the presentation slides
  • Practice your presentation

4 steps for making a scientific presentation.

Writing an outline helps you consider the key pieces of your talk and how they fit together from the beginning, preventing you from forgetting any important details. It also means you avoid changing the order of your slides multiple times, saving you time.

Plan your talk as discrete sections. In the table below, we describe the sections for a single study talk vs. a talk discussing multiple studies:

The following tips apply when writing the outline of a single study talk. You can easily adapt this framework if you are writing a talk discussing multiple studies.

Introduction: Writing the introduction can be the hardest part of writing a talk. And when giving it, it’s the point where you might be at your most nervous. But preparing a good, concise introduction will settle your nerves.

The introduction tells the audience the story of why you studied your topic. A good introduction succinctly achieves four things, in the following order.

  • It gives a broad perspective on the problem or topic for people in the audience who may be outside your discipline (i.e., it explains the big-picture problem motivating your study).
  • It describes why you did the study, and why the audience should care.
  • It gives a brief indication of how your study addressed the problem and provides the necessary background information that the audience needs to understand your work.
  • It indicates what the audience will learn from the talk, and prepares them for what will come next.

A good introduction not only gives the big picture and motivations behind your study but also concisely sets the stage for what the audience will learn from the talk (e.g., the questions your work answers, and/or the hypotheses that your work tests). The end of the introduction will lead to a natural transition to the methods.

Give a broad perspective on the problem. The easiest way to start with the big picture is to think of a hook for the first slide of your presentation. A hook is an opening that gets the audience’s attention and gets them interested in your story. In science, this might take the form of a why, or a how question, or it could be a statement about a major problem or open question in your field. Other examples of hooks include quotes, short anecdotes, or interesting statistics.

Why should the audience care? Next, decide on the angle you are going to take on your hook that links to the thesis of your talk. In other words, you need to set the context, i.e., explain why the audience should care. For example, you may introduce an observation from nature, a pattern in experimental data, or a theory that you want to test. The audience must understand your motivations for the study.

Supplementary details. Once you have established the hook and angle, you need to include supplementary details to support them. For example, you might state your hypothesis. Then go into previous work and the current state of knowledge. Include citations of these studies. If you need to introduce some technical methodological details, theory, or jargon, do it here.

Conclude your introduction. The motivation for the work and background information should set the stage for the conclusion of the introduction, where you describe the goals of your study, and any hypotheses or predictions. Let the audience know what they are going to learn.

Methods: The audience will use your description of the methods to assess the approach you took in your study and to decide whether your findings are credible. Tell the story of your methods in chronological order. Use visuals to describe your methods as much as possible. If you have equations, make sure to take the time to explain them. Decide what methods to include and how you will show them. You need enough detail so that your audience will understand what you did and therefore can evaluate your approach, but avoid including superfluous details that do not support your main idea. You want to avoid the common mistake of including too much data, as the audience can read the paper(s) later.

Results: This is the evidence you present for your thesis. The audience will use the results to evaluate the support for your main idea. Choose the most important and interesting results—those that support your thesis. You don’t need to present all the results from your study (indeed, you most likely won’t have time to present them all). Break down complex results into digestible pieces, e.g., comparisons over multiple slides (more tips in the next section).

Summary: Summarize your main findings. Displaying your main findings through visuals can be effective. Emphasize the new contributions to scientific knowledge that your work makes.

Conclusion: Complete the circle by relating your conclusions to the big picture topic in your introduction—and your hook, if possible. It’s important to describe any alternative explanations for your findings. You might also speculate on future directions arising from your research. The slides that comprise your conclusion do not need to state “conclusion”. Rather, the concluding slide title should be a declarative sentence linking back to the big picture problem and your main idea.

It’s important to end well by planning a strong closure to your talk, after which you will thank the audience. Your closing statement should relate to your thesis, perhaps by stating it differently or memorably. Avoid ending awkwardly by memorizing your closing sentence.

By now, you have an outline of the story of your talk, which you can use to plan your slides. Your slides should complement and enhance what you will say. Use the following steps to prepare your slides.

  • Write the slide titles to match your talk outline. These should be clear and informative declarative sentences that succinctly give the main idea of the slide (e.g., don’t use “Methods” as a slide title). Have one major idea per slide. In a YouTube talk on designing effective slides , researcher Michael Alley shows examples of instructive slide titles.
  • Decide how you will convey the main idea of the slide (e.g., what figures, photographs, equations, statistics, references, or other elements you will need). The body of the slide should support the slide’s main idea.
  • Under each slide title, outline what you want to say, in bullet points.

In sum, for each slide, prepare a title that summarizes its major idea, a list of visual elements, and a summary of the points you will make. Ensure each slide connects to your thesis. If it doesn’t, then you don’t need the slide.

Slides for scientific presentations have three major components: text (including labels and legends), graphics, and equations. Here, we give tips on how to present each of these components.

  • Have an informative title slide. Include the names of all coauthors and their affiliations. Include an attractive image relating to your study.
  • Make the foreground content of your slides “pop” by using an appropriate background. Slides that have white backgrounds with black text work well for small rooms, whereas slides with black backgrounds and white text are suitable for large rooms.
  • The layout of your slides should be simple. Pay attention to how and where you lay the visual and text elements on each slide. It’s tempting to cram information, but you need lots of empty space. Retain space at the sides and bottom of your slides.
  • Use sans serif fonts with a font size of at least 20 for text, and up to 40 for slide titles. Citations can be in 14 font and should be included at the bottom of the slide.
  • Use bold or italics to emphasize words, not underlines or caps. Keep these effects to a minimum.
  • Use concise text . You don’t need full sentences. Convey the essence of your message in as few words as possible. Write down what you’d like to say, and then shorten it for the slide. Remove unnecessary filler words.
  • Text blocks should be limited to two lines. This will prevent you from crowding too much information on the slide.
  • Include names of technical terms in your talk slides, especially if they are not familiar to everyone in the audience.
  • Proofread your slides. Typos and grammatical errors are distracting for your audience.
  • Include citations for the hypotheses or observations of other scientists.
  • Good figures and graphics are essential to sustain audience interest. Use graphics and photographs to show the experiment or study system in action and to explain abstract concepts.
  • Don’t use figures straight from your paper as they may be too detailed for your talk, and details like axes may be too small. Make new versions if necessary. Make them large enough to be visible from the back of the room.
  • Use graphs to show your results, not tables. Tables are difficult for your audience to digest! If you must present a table, keep it simple.
  • Label the axes of graphs and indicate the units. Label important components of graphics and photographs and include captions. Include sources for graphics that are not your own.
  • Explain all the elements of a graph. This includes the axes, what the colors and markers mean, and patterns in the data.
  • Use colors in figures and text in a meaningful, not random, way. For example, contrasting colors can be effective for pointing out comparisons and/or differences. Don’t use neon colors or pastels.
  • Use thick lines in figures, and use color to create contrasts in the figures you present. Don’t use red/green or red/blue combinations, as color-blind audience members can’t distinguish between them.
  • Arrows or circles can be effective for drawing attention to key details in graphs and equations. Add some text annotations along with them.
  • Write your summary and conclusion slides using graphics, rather than showing a slide with a list of bullet points. Showing some of your results again can be helpful to remind the audience of your message.
  • If your talk has equations, take time to explain them. Include text boxes to explain variables and mathematical terms, and put them under each term in the equation.
  • Combine equations with a graphic that shows the scientific principle, or include a diagram of the mathematical model.
  • Use animations judiciously. They are helpful to reveal complex ideas gradually, for example, if you need to make a comparison or contrast or to build a complicated argument or figure. For lists, reveal one bullet point at a time. New ideas appearing sequentially will help your audience follow your logic.
  • Slide transitions should be simple. Silly ones distract from your message.
  • Decide how you will make the transition as you move from one section of your talk to the next. For example, if you spend time talking through details, provide a summary afterward, especially in a long talk. Another common tactic is to have a “home slide” that you return to multiple times during the talk that reinforces your main idea or message. In her YouTube talk on designing effective scientific presentations , Stanford biologist Susan McConnell suggests using the approach of home slides to build a cohesive narrative.

To deliver a polished presentation, it is essential to practice it. Here are some tips.

  • For your first run-through, practice alone. Pay attention to your narrative. Does your story flow naturally? Do you know how you will start and end? Are there any awkward transitions? Do animations help you tell your story? Do your slides help to convey what you are saying or are they missing components?
  • Next, practice in front of your advisor, and/or your peers (e.g., your lab group). Ask someone to time your talk. Take note of their feedback and the questions that they ask you (you might be asked similar questions during your real talk).
  • Edit your talk, taking into account the feedback you’ve received. Eliminate superfluous slides that don’t contribute to your takeaway message.
  • Practice as many times as needed to memorize the order of your slides and the key transition points of your talk. However, don’t try to learn your talk word for word. Instead, memorize opening and closing statements, and sentences at key junctures in the presentation. Your presentation should resemble a serious but spontaneous conversation with the audience.
  • Practicing multiple times also helps you hone the delivery of your talk. While rehearsing, pay attention to your vocal intonations and speed. Make sure to take pauses while you speak, and make eye contact with your imaginary audience.
  • Make sure your talk finishes within the allotted time, and remember to leave time for questions. Conferences are particularly strict on run time.
  • Anticipate questions and challenges from the audience, and clarify ambiguities within your slides and/or speech in response.
  • If you anticipate that you could be asked questions about details but you don’t have time to include them, or they detract from the main message of your talk, you can prepare slides that address these questions and place them after the final slide of your talk.

➡️ More tips for giving scientific presentations

An organized presentation with a clear narrative will help you communicate your ideas effectively, which is essential for engaging your audience and conveying the importance of your work. Taking time to plan and outline your scientific presentation before writing the slides will help you manage your nerves and feel more confident during the presentation, which will improve your overall performance.

A good scientific presentation has an engaging scientific narrative with a memorable take-home message. It has clear, informative slides that enhance what the speaker says. You need to practice your talk many times to ensure you deliver a polished presentation.

First, consider who will attend your presentation, and what you want the audience to learn about your research. Tailor your content to their level of knowledge and interests. Second, create an outline for your presentation, including the key points you want to make and the evidence you will use to support those points. Finally, practice your presentation several times to ensure that it flows smoothly and that you are comfortable with the material.

Prepare an opening that immediately gets the audience’s attention. A common device is a why or a how question, or a statement of a major open problem in your field, but you could also start with a quote, interesting statistic, or case study from your field.

Scientific presentations typically either focus on a single study (e.g., a 15-minute conference presentation) or tell the story of multiple studies (e.g., a PhD defense or 50-minute conference keynote talk). For a single study talk, the structure follows the scientific paper format: Introduction, Methods, Results, Summary, and Conclusion, whereas the format of a talk discussing multiple studies is more complex, but a theme unifies the studies.

Ensure you have one major idea per slide, and convey that idea clearly (through images, equations, statistics, citations, video, etc.). The slide should include a title that summarizes the major point of the slide, should not contain too much text or too many graphics, and color should be used meaningfully.

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Home — Blog — Topic Ideas — Discover 130 Fascinating Science Topics Perfect for College Students

Discover 130 Fascinating Science Topics Perfect for College Students

interesting science topics

When it comes to engaging discussions, college students and science enthusiasts are always on the hunt for exciting and interesting science topics. Whether you're preparing for a game night, a class presentation, or simply looking to impress with your knowledge, having a repertoire of fascinating scientific themes can be invaluable. This blog post will guide you through 130 intriguing science topics, offering a treasure trove of ideas to spark curiosity and foster engaging conversations.

The Allure of Interesting Science Topics

What makes a science topic captivating.

A captivating science topic is more than just an interesting subject; it’s a doorway to exploring the unknown and challenging the status quo. These topics often:

  • Illuminate New Discoveries : Offer insights into recent advancements or groundbreaking research.
  • Engage Curiosity : Pose questions that provoke thought and encourage further inquiry.
  • Connect to Real Life : Relate scientific principles to everyday experiences and practical applications.

Why Science Topics Matter in Game Nights

Incorporating science topics into game nights can elevate the experience:

  • Stimulate Intellectual Engagement : Keeps participants mentally active and engaged.
  • Encourage Learning : Provides an opportunity to learn in a fun, stress-free environment.
  • Foster Collaboration : Promotes teamwork and collaborative problem-solving.

Science Research Topics to Explore

Finding the right science research topics can be a game-changer for students and enthusiasts alike. Cool science topics not only pique interest but also provide a solid foundation for in-depth exploration. Here are some categories and examples to consider:

Physical Science Topics

Physical science encompasses a range of fascinating subjects. From the laws of physics to the wonders of astronomy, these topics can captivate students and researchers alike. Exploring physical science topics can lead to a deeper understanding of the universe and our place in it.

Science Research Topics for High School Students

High school is a critical time for budding scientists. Engaging with science research topics for high school students can ignite a passion for discovery and innovation. These topics can range from environmental science to cutting-edge technology, offering students a glimpse into the world of scientific research.

Science Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper requires choosing the right topic. Science research paper topics should be both interesting and manageable, allowing for a thorough investigation. Whether you're delving into biological sciences or exploring the intricacies of chemistry, selecting the right topic is crucial for a successful research paper.

Interesting Science Topics for Students

Students at all levels can benefit from exploring interesting science topics. These topics not only enhance their knowledge but also encourage critical thinking and creativity. From the mysteries of space to the complexities of the human body, there are countless fascinating subjects to explore.

Science Topics for High School

High school students often seek science topics that are both challenging and intriguing. Science topics for high school can include everything from renewable energy sources to the ethical implications of genetic engineering. These topics help students develop a deeper understanding of scientific principles and their applications in the real world.

130 Science Topics Perfect for College Students

  • Climate Change: How Does Climate Change Affect Our Everyday Life.
  • Artificial Intelligence: The Ethical Challenges.
  • CRISPR Technology: The Potential Tool for Curing Huntington’s Disease.
  • Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The mysterious components making up most of our universe.
  • Quantum Computing: Beyond The Limits of Traditional Computers.
  • Nanotechnology: The Industrial Revolution of The 21st Century.
  • The Human Microbiome: The trillions of microbes living in and on our bodies and their impact on health.
  • Stem Cell Research: Most Effective and Beneficial Biological Source.
  • Exoplanets : The search for planets outside our solar system and the potential for extraterrestrial life.
  • Black Holes: The Enigmatic Abyss of the Universe.
  • The Human Genome Sequencing in Health and Mutation.
  • Virtual Reality: Exploring The Pros and Cons.
  • Antibiotic Resistance : The growing threat of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.
  • The Big Bang Theory : The prevailing cosmological model explaining the existence of the observable universe.
  • Biodiversity: The Special Connection Between All Organisms on Our Planet.
  • Bioluminescence: Understanding and Preserving Bioluminescence in Puerto Rico and Florida.
  • Biotechnology: The use of biological processes for industrial and other purposes.
  • Cellular Biology: The study of cells, the basic units of life.
  • Chemical Bonding: The interactions that hold atoms together in molecules.
  • Cloning: The creation of genetically identical copies of an organism.
  • Cognitive Science : The interdisciplinary study of the mind and its processes.
  • Conservation Biology : The science of protecting and restoring biodiversity.
  • Cosmology: The study of the origins and eventual fate of the universe.
  • Cybersecurity : The protection of internet-connected systems from cyberattacks.
  • DNA and RNA: The molecules that carry genetic instructions in organisms.
  • Ecology: The study of the relationships between organisms and their environments.
  • Evolution: The process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed.
  • Forensic Science : The application of science to criminal and civil laws.
  • Fusion Power: The process of generating energy by fusing atomic nuclei.
  • Genetic Engineering: The manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.
  • Genetic Testing: The analysis of DNA to identify changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins.
  • Geology: The study of the solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which they change.
  • Global Health: The health of populations in a global context, transcending the perspectives and concerns of individual nations.
  • Gravitational Waves : Ripples in spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects.
  • Green Energy: Sustainable energy that is generated from natural resources.
  • Human Evolution: The process of evolution that led to the emergence of modern humans.
  • Immunology: The study of the immune system, which defends the body against infectious diseases.
  • Marine Biology: The study of marine organisms, their behavior, and their interactions with the environment.
  • Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
  • Neuroscience: The scientific study of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.
  • Nuclear Physics: The field of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their constituents and interactions.
  • Nutritional Science: The study of the relationship between food and a healthy body.
  • Organic Chemistry: The study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-containing compounds.
  • Paleontology: The scientific study of life that existed prior to, and sometimes including, the start of the Holocene Epoch.
  • Particle Physics: The study of the fundamental particles that make up matter and radiation.
  • Pharmacology: The study of drugs and their interactions with living organisms.
  • Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods.
  • Physical Chemistry: The study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems.
  • Physiology: The scientific study of the functions and mechanisms that work within a living system.
  • Planetary Science: The scientific study of planets, moons, and planetary systems.
  • Plate Tectonics: The scientific theory describing the large-scale motions of Earth's lithosphere.
  • Psychology: The scientific study of the mind and behavior.
  • Quantum Mechanics: The branch of physics dealing with the smallest particles in the universe.
  • Robotics: The interdisciplinary branch of engineering and science dealing with robots.
  • Solar Energy: The energy derived from the sun through the form of solar radiation.
  • Space Exploration: The investigation of physical conditions in space and on stars, planets, and their moons.
  • Species Extinction: The disappearance of species from Earth.
  • Stem Cells: The cells that have the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body.
  • String Theory: The theoretical framework in which the point-like particles of particle physics are replaced by one-dimensional objects called strings.
  • Superconductivity: The ability of certain materials to conduct electric current with zero resistance.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: The practice of farming using principles of ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and their environment.
  • Telemedicine: The remote diagnosis and treatment of patients using telecommunications technology.
  • Tissue Engineering: The use of a combination of cells, engineering materials, and suitable biochemical and physicochemical factors to improve or replace biological functions.
  • Vaccines: The substances used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases.
  • Volcanology: The study of volcanoes, lava, magma, and related geological, geophysical, and geochemical phenomena.
  • Waste Management: The collection, transport, processing, recycling, or disposal of waste materials.
  • Water Pollution: The contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities.
  • Weather and Climate: The day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere and the long-term averages of these conditions in a place.
  • Wildlife Conservation: The practice of protecting wild plant and animal species and their habitats.
  • Wind Energy: The energy derived from the wind through the use of wind turbines.
  • Zoology: The branch of biology that studies the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals.
  • Astrobiology: The study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe.
  • Bioinformatics: The application of computer science and information technology to the field of biology and medicine.
  • Biophysics: The study of biological systems using the methods and theories of physics.
  • Cell Signaling: The complex communication systems that govern basic cellular activities and coordinate cell actions.
  • Circadian Rhythm: The internal process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and repeats roughly every 24 hours.
  • Cryogenics: The production and behavior of materials at very low temperatures.
  • Epigenetics: The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
  • Food Science: The discipline that involves the study of physical, microbiological, and chemical makeup of food.
  • Genomics: The study of the genomes of organisms, aiming to decipher the entire DNA sequence and understand its function.
  • Hydrology: The study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets.
  • Materials Science: The study of the properties and characteristics of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
  • Medical Imaging: The techniques and processes used to create images of the human body for clinical purposes.
  • Molecular Biology: The study of the molecular underpinnings of the processes of replication, transcription, and translation of the genetic material.
  • Neuroplasticity: The ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections in response to learning or experience.
  • Optogenetics: The use of light to control cells in living tissue, typically neurons, that have been genetically modified to express light-sensitive ion channels.
  • Parasitology: The study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them.
  • Pharmacogenomics: The study of how genes affect a person's response to drugs.
  • Photonics: The physical science of light (photon) generation, detection, and manipulation through emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching,
  • amplification, and sensing.
  • Plant Pathology: The scientific study of diseases in plants caused by pathogens and environmental conditions.
  • Quantum Computing Algorithms: The study of algorithms that run on a realistic model of quantum computation.
  • Radiology: The medical discipline that uses medical imaging to diagnose and treat diseases.
  • Regenerative Medicine: The branch of medicine that develops methods to regrow, repair, or replace damaged or diseased cells, organs, and tissues.
  • Renewable Energy: Energy from sources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited.
  • Systems Biology: The study of the interactions between the components of biological systems and how these interactions give rise to the function and behavior of that system.
  • Synthetic Biology: The design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems and the re-design of existing, natural biological systems for useful purposes.
  • Toxicology: The study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biological agents on living organisms and the ecosystem.
  • Virology: The study of viruses and virus-like agents, including their structure, classification, and replication, and their effects on host organisms.
  • X-ray Crystallography: The experimental science determining the atomic and molecular structure of a crystal, in which the crystalline atom scattering factors and phases are
  • determined by X-ray diffraction.
  • Zoonoses: Infectious diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans.
  • Astronomy: The study of celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.
  • Behavioral Genetics: The study of the genetic and environmental influences on human and animal behavior.
  • Biochemistry: The study of the chemical processes within and relating to living organisms.
  • Carbon Capture: The process of capturing waste carbon dioxide from large point sources, such as fossil fuel power plants.
  • Cellular Immunology: The study of the immune system at the cellular level.
  • Chemical Kinetics: The study of rates of chemical processes.
  • Chronobiology: The study of biological rhythms in living organisms.
  • Computational Chemistry: The use of computer simulation to assist in solving chemical problems.
  • Conservation Ecology: The study of the distribution and abundance of organisms and how these are affected by the environment.
  • Developmental Biology: The study of the process by which organisms grow and develop.
  • Electromagnetism: The study of the electromagnetic force, a type of physical interaction that occurs between electrically charged particles.
  • Environmental Chemistry: The study of the chemical and biochemical phenomena that occur in natural places.
  • Environmental Toxicology: The study of the effects of man-made and natural chemicals on the environment.
  • Epidemiology: The study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why.
  • Evolutionary Biology: The study of the evolutionary processes that have given rise to biodiversity.
  • Forensic Anthropology: The application of the science of physical anthropology to the legal process.
  • Fractal Geometry: The study of mathematical sets that exhibit a repeating pattern at every scale.
  • Genetic Counseling: The process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.
  • Geochemistry: The study of the chemical composition of the Earth and other planets.
  • Geomorphology: The study of landforms and the processes that shape them.
  • Glaciology: The study of glaciers, or more generally ice and natural phenomena that involve ice.
  • High-Energy Physics: The branch of physics that studies the nature of the particles that constitute matter and radiation.
  • Hydroponics: The method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.
  • Immunotherapy: The treatment of disease by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response.
  • Marine Ecology : The study of how marine organisms interact with each other and the environment.
  • Microbial Genetics: The study of the genetics of microorganisms, particularly bacteria.
  • Molecular Modeling: The use of computers to model or mimic the behavior of molecules.
  • Nanoscience : The study of phenomena and manipulation of materials at atomic, molecular, and macromolecular scales.

Science is a vast and endlessly fascinating realm, offering an abundance of interesting science topics to explore and discuss. Whether you’re a college student looking for inspiration or a science enthusiast eager to delve into new areas, these 130 science topics to research provide a solid foundation for engaging conversations and intellectual exploration.

One of the first steps in diving into the world of science is identifying the most interesting science topics for students. These topics can range from the mysteries of quantum physics to the intricacies of human biology. When selecting science research topics, it’s essential to choose those that not only pique your interest but also challenge your understanding and stimulate your curiosity.

For high school students, finding the right science topics for high school projects can be particularly rewarding. High school is a time when students can explore various subjects and discover their passions. Cool science topics, such as the study of renewable energy sources, the impact of climate change on ecosystems, or the development of new medical technologies, can captivate young minds and inspire future scientific endeavors.

Science research topics for high school students should be both challenging and accessible. These topics should encourage students to think critically and develop their research skills. Some potential science research paper topics for high school students include the effects of plastic pollution on marine life, the role of genetics in disease prevention, and the advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Physical science topics, such as the study of matter, energy, and the fundamental forces of nature, offer a wealth of opportunities for exploration. These topics can provide a deeper understanding of the natural world and lay the groundwork for more advanced studies in physics, chemistry, and engineering. Interesting science topics in the physical sciences can include the behavior of subatomic particles, the exploration of outer space, and the development of sustainable energy solutions.

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topics for presentation in material science

  • Create account
  • Contributions
  • Materials Science and Engineering/List of Topics

Introduction to Solid State Chemistry

  • Taxonomy of Chemical Species
  • Origins of Modern Chemistry
  • Classification Schemes of the Elements
  • Mendeleyev and the Periodic Table
  • Atomic Structure
  • Rutherford Model of the Atom
  • Bohr Model of the Atom
  • Atomic Spectra of Hydrogen
  • Matter-Energy Interactions Involving Atomic Hydrogen
  • The Shell Model (Bohr-Sommerfeld Model) and Multi-electron Atoms
  • Quantum Numbers: n, l, m, s
  • De Broglie, Heisenberg, and Schrodinger
  • The Aufbau Principle
  • Pauli Exlusion Principle
  • Hund's Rules
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Average Valence Electron Energy
  • Octet Stability by Electron Transfer: Ionic Bonding
  • Properties of Ionic Compounds: Crystal Lattice Energy
  • Born-Haber Cycle
  • Octet Stability by Electron Sharing
  • Covalent Bonding
  • Lewis Structures
  • Hybridization
  • Electronegativity
  • Partial Charge
  • Polar Bonds and Polar Molecules
  • Ionic Character and Covalent Bonds
  • Pauling's Calculation of Heteronuclear Bond Energies
  • Energy Level Diagrams of H2, He2, Li2
  • Double Bonds and Triple Bonds
  • Paramagnetism and Diamagnetism
  • The Shapes of Molecules
  • Electron Domain Theory
  • Secondary Bonding
  • Metallic Bonding
  • Band Theory of Solids (Heitler and London)
  • Band Gaps in Metals
  • Semiconductors
  • Absorption Edge of a Semiconductor
  • Intrinsic and Extrinsic Semiconductors
  • Compound Semiconductors
  • Molten Semiconductors
  • Introduction to the Solid State
  • The Seven Crystal Systems
  • The Fourteen Bravais Lattices
  • Simple Cubic
  • Face-Centered Cubic
  • Body-Centered Cubic
  • Diamond Cubic
  • Crystal Coordinate Systems
  • Miller Indices
  • Characterization of Atomic Structure
  • The Generation of X-Rays and Moseley's Law
  • X-Ray Spectra
  • Bragg's Law
  • X-Ray Diffraction of Crystals
  • Diffractometry
  • Debye-Scherrer
  • Crystal Symmetry
  • Defects in Crystals
  • Point Defects
  • Line Defects
  • Interfacial Defects
  • Amorphous Solids
  • Glass Formation
  • Inorganic Glasses
  • Engineered Glasses
  • Network Formers
  • Network Modifiers
  • Intermediates
  • Properties of Silicate Glasses
  • Metallic Glass
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • The Rate Equation
  • Order of Reaction
  • Rate Laws of Zeroth, First, and Second Order Reactions
  • Temperature Dependence of Rate of Reaction
  • Fick's First Law and Steady-state Diffusion
  • Dependence of the Diffusion Coefficient on Temperature and on Atomic *Arrangement
  • Fick's Second Law (FSL)
  • Transient-State Diffusion
  • Error Function Solutions to FSL
  • Solubility Rules
  • Solubility Producet
  • Acids and Bases
  • Bronsted-Lowry
  • Lewis Definition
  • Acid Strength and pH
  • Basic Concepts of Organic Chemistry
  • Functional Groups
  • Alcohols and Ethers Aldehydes and Ketones
  • Organic Glasses - Polymers
  • Synthesis by Addition Polymerization and by Condensation *Polymerization
  • Structure-Property Relationship in Polymers
  • Crystalline Polymers
  • Biochemisty
  • The Amino Acids
  • Protein Structure
  • Denaturing of Proteins
  • Ipids: Self Assembly into Bilayers
  • Nucleic Acids
  • Encoding Information of Protein Synthesis
  • Electrochemistry of Batteries and Fuel Cells

Two-Component Phase Diagrams: Limited Solid Solubility Lever Rule

Quantum Mechanics

  • Origins of Quantum Physics
  • Postulates and Mathematical Formalism of Quantum Mechanics
  • Mathematical Tools of Quantum Mechanics
  • The Schrodinger Equation
  • One-Dimensional Arrangements
  • Angular Momentum
  • Three-Dimensional Arrangements
  • Rotations and Addition of Angular Momentum
  • Identical Particles
  • Approximation Methods of Stationary States
  • Time-Dependent Pertubation Theory
  • Structure of Crystalline Solids
  • Imperfections in Solids
  • Phase Diagrams
  • Phase Transformations
  • Metal Alloys
  • Structures and Properties of Ceramics
  • Applications and Processing of Ceramics
  • Polymer Structures
  • Characteristics, Applications, and Processing of Polymers
  • Corrosion and Degradation of Materials

Thermodynamics

  • Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
  • Equations of State
  • First Law of Thermodynamics
  • Second Law of Thermodynamics
  • Third Law of Thermodynamics
  • Chemical Equilibrium
  • Phase Equilibrium
  • Electrochemical Equilibrium
  • Ionic Equilibria

Statistical Mechanics

Probability

  • General Defintions

Classical Statistical Mechanics

  • Clasical Mechanics
  • Equations of Motion
  • Langrangian Formulation
  • Microscopic State of a System
  • Equilibrium Ensembles

Quantum Statistical Mechanics

  • Vibrations of a Solid
  • Introduction
  • Irreversible Thermodynamics
  • Driving Forces and Fluxes for Diffusion
  • Self-Diffusion and Interdiffusion
  • Diffusion Potential
  • The Diffusion Equation
  • Diffusion in Crystals
  • Diffusion in Noncrystalline Materials
  • Surface Evolution Due to Capillary Forces
  • Particle Coarsening
  • Grain Growth
  • Anisotropic Surface, Diffusional Creep, and Sintering
  • General Features of Phase Transformations
  • Spinodal Decomposition and Continuous Ordering
  • Diffusional Growth
  • Morphological Stability of Moving Interfaces
  • Kinetics of Nucleation and Growth Transformations

Mechanics of Materials

  • Introduction to Elasticity
  • Stress and Strain
  • Generalized Hooke's Law
  • Physical Origin of Elastic Moduli
  • Cellular Solids
  • Viscoelasticity
  • Continuum Plasticity
  • Dislocation Mechanics
  • Mechanism of Low Temperature Plasticity
  • Continuum Creep Response
  • Mechanisms of Creep Deformation

Processing of Micro- and Nanoscale Materials

Electronic properties of engineering materials, conductors and resistors.

topics for presentation in material science

  • The Drude model of electrical conduction was developed in the 1900s by Paul Drude to explain the transport properties of electrons in materials (especially metals). The Drude model is the application of kinetic theory to electrons in a solid. It assumes that the material contains immobile positive ions and an "electron gas" of classical, non-interacting electrons of density n, each of whose motion is damped by a frictional force due to collisions of the electrons with the ions, characterized by a relaxation time τ.
  • Resistance Modeled as Viscosity
  • The Hall effect refers to the potential difference (Hall voltage) on the opposite sides of an electrical conductor through which an electric current is flowing, created by a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the current.

{\displaystyle q}

  • An alternating current (AC) is an electrical current whose magnitude and direction vary cyclically, as opposed to direct current, whose direction remains constant. The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave, as this results in the most efficient transmission of energy. However in certain applications different waveforms are used, such as triangular or square waves. Used generically, AC refers to the form in which electricity is delivered to businesses and residences. However, audio and radio signals carried on electrical wire are also examples of alternating current. In these applications, an important goal is often the recovery of information encoded (or modulated) onto the AC signal.
  • In physics, thermal conductivity, k, is the property of a material that indicates its ability to conduct heat. It is used primarily in Fourier's Law for heat conduction.
  • Heat capacity (symbol: Cp) — as distinct from specific heat capacity — is the measure of the heat energy required to increase the temperature of an object by a certain temperature interval. Heat capacity is an extensive property because its value is proportional to the amount of material in the object; for example, a bathtub of water has a greater heat capacity than a cup of water.

Optical Properties of Conductors

{\displaystyle \nabla }

  • In vector calculus, the gradient of a scalar field is a vector field which points in the direction of the greatest rate of increase of the scalar field, and whose magnitude is the greatest rate of change.
  • In vector calculus, the divergence is an operator that measures the magnitude of a vector field's source or sink at a given point; the divergence of a vector field is a (signed) scalar. For a vector field that denotes the velocity of air expanding as it is heated, the divergence of the velocity field would have a positive value because the air expands. If the air cools and contracts, the divergence is negative. The divergence could be thought of as a measure of the change in density.
  • In vector calculus, curl is a vector operator that shows a vector field's "rate of rotation", that is the direction of the axis of rotation and the magnitude of the rotation. It can also be described as the circulation density. In many European countries the operator is called rot (short for rotor) instead of curl.
  • Permittivity is a physical quantity that describes how an electric field affects and is affected by a dielectric medium, and is determined by the ability of a material to polarize in response to the field, and thereby reduce the total electric field inside the material. Thus, permittivity relates to a material's ability to transmit (or "permit") an electric field. It is directly related to electric susceptibility. For example, in a capacitor, an increased permittivity allows the same charge to be stored with a smaller electric field (and thus a smaller voltage), leading to an increased capacitance.

{\displaystyle \Sigma ,}

  • Stokes' theorem (or Stokes's theorem) in differential geometry is a statement about the integration of differential forms which generalizes several theorems from vector calculus. It is named after Sir George Gabriel Stokes (1819–1903), although the first known statement of the theorem is by William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) and appears in a letter of his to Stokes.
  • The classical Kelvin-Stokes theorem:

{\displaystyle \int _{\Sigma }\nabla \times \mathbf {F} \cdot d\mathbf {\Sigma } =\oint _{\partial \Sigma }\mathbf {F} \cdot d\mathbf {r} ,}

  • The wave equation is an important second-order linear partial differential equation that describes the propagation of a variety of waves, such as sound waves, light waves and water waves. It arises in fields such as acoustics, electromagnetics, and fluid dynamics. Historically, the problem of a vibrating string such as that of a musical instrument was studied by Jean le Rond d'Alembert, Leonhard Euler, Daniel Bernoulli, and Joseph-Louis Lagrange.

topics for presentation in material science

  • When an electromagnetic wave interacts with a conductive material, mobile charges within the material are made to oscillate back and forth with the same frequency as the impinging fields. The movement of these charges, usually electrons, constitutes an alternating electric current, the magnitude of which is greatest at the conductor's surface. The decline in current density versus depth is known as the skin effect and the skin depth is a measure of the distance over which the current falls to 1/e of its original value. A gradual change in phase accompanies the change in magnitude, so that, at a given time and at appropriate depths, the current can be flowing in the opposite direction to that at the surface.
  • The ionosphere is the uppermost part of the atmosphere, distinguished because it is ionized by solar radiation. It plays an important part in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere. It has practical importance because, among other functions, it influences radio propagation to distant places on the Earth. It is located in the Thermosphere.
  • In solid state physics, a particle's effective mass is the mass it seems to carry in the semiclassical model of transport in a crystal. It can be shown that, under most conditions, electrons and holes in a crystal respond to electric and magnetic fields almost as if they were free particles in a vacuum, but with a different mass. This mass is usually stated in units of the ordinary mass of an electron me (9.11×10-31 kg).

Insulators and Capacitors

  • In classical electromagnetism, the polarization density (or electric polarization, or simply polarization) is the vector field that expresses the density of permanent or induced electric dipole moments in a dielectric material. The polarization vector P is defined as the dipole moment per unit volume. The SI unit of measure is coulombs per square metre.
  • A capacitor is an electrical/electronic device that can store energy in the electric field between a pair of conductors (called "plates"). The process of storing energy in the capacitor is known as "charging", and involves electric charges of equal magnitude, but opposite polarity, building up on each plate. The capacitor's capacitance (C) is a measure of the amount of charge (Q) stored on each plate for a given potential difference or voltage (V) which appears between the plates:

{\displaystyle C={Q \over V}}

  • The relative static permittivity (or static relative permittivity) of a material under given conditions is a measure of the extent to which it concentrates electrostatic lines of flux. It is the ratio of the amount of stored electrical energy when a potential is applied, relative to the permittivity of a vacuum. The relative static permittivity is the same as the relative permittivity evaluated for a frequency of zero.

{\displaystyle {\frac {C'}{C}}={\frac {Q'}{Q}}=\epsilon _{r}}

  • In physics, the electric displacement field or electric induction is a vector field \mathbf{D} that appears in Maxwell's equations. It accounts for the effects of unbound charges within materials. "D" stands for "displacement," as in the related concept of displacement current in dielectrics.
  • The theoretical dielectric strength of a material is an intrinsic property of the bulk material and is dependent on the configuration of the material or the electrodes with which the field is applied. At breakdown, the electric field frees bound electrons. If the applied electric field is sufficiently high, free electrons may become accelerated to velocities that can liberate additional electrons during collisions with neutral atoms or molecules in a process called avalanche breakdown. Breakdown occurs quite abruptly (typically in nanoseconds), resulting in the formation of an electrically conductive path and a disruptive discharge through the material. For solid materials, a breakdown event severely degrades, or even destroys, its insulating capability.
  • The theoretical dielectric strength of a material is an intrinsic property of the bulk material and is dependent on the configuration of the material or the electrodes with which the field is applied. At breakdown, the electric field frees bound electrons. If the applied electric field is sufficiently high, free electrons may become accelerated to velocities that can liberate additional electrons during collisions with neutral atoms or molecules in a process called avalanche breakdown. Breakdown occurs quite abruptly (typically in nanoseconds)., resulting in the formation of an electrically conductive path and a disruptive discharge through the material. For solid materials, a breakdown event severely degrades, or even destroys, its insulating capability. Dielectric strength (MV/m) of various common materials:

Optical Properties of Insulators

  • Wave equations in a dielectric

{\displaystyle \nabla ^{2}\mathbf {E} =\mu \epsilon {\frac {\partial ^{2}\mathbf {E} }{\partial t^{2}}}}

  • Relationship between dielectric constant and index of refraction

{\displaystyle n=\epsilon _{r}^{1/2}}

  • Snell's law

{\displaystyle n_{1}\sin \theta _{1}=n_{2}\sin \theta _{2}\;}

  • Total internal reflection is an optical phenomenon that occurs when a ray of light strikes a medium boundary at an angle larger than the critical angle with respect to the normal to the surface. If the refractive index is lower on the other side of the boundary no light can pass through, so effectively all of the light is reflected. The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which the total internal reflection occurs.
  • In optics, dispersion is the phenomenon that the phase velocity of a wave depends on its frequency. In a prism, dispersion causes the spatial separation of a white light into spectral components of different wavelengths. Dispersion is most often described in light waves, but it may happen to any kind of wave that interacts with a medium or can be confined to a waveguide, such as sound waves. Dispersion is sometimes called chromatic dispersion to emphasize its wavelength-dependent nature.
  • Attenuation is the reduction in amplitude and intensity of a signal. Signals may be attenuated exponentially by transmission through a medium, in which case attenuation is usually reported in dB with respect to distance traveled through the medium. Attenuation can also be understood to be the opposite of amplification. Attenuation is an important property in telecommunications and ultrasound applications because of its importance in determining signal strength as a function of distance. Attenuation is usually measured in units of decibels per unit length of medium (dB/cm, dB/km, etc) and is represented by the attenuation coefficient of the medium in question. Attenuation decreases the intensity of electromagnetic radiation due to absorption or scattering of photons. Attenuation does not include the decrease in intensity due to inverse-square law geometric spreading. Therefore, calculation of the total change in intensity involves both the inverse-square law and an estimation of attenuation over the path.

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  • Diffraction refers to various phenomena associated with the bending of waves when they interact with obstacles in their path. It occurs with any type of wave, including sound waves, water waves, and electromagnetic waves such as visible light, x-rays and radio waves. As physical objects have wave-like properties, diffraction also occurs with matter and can be studied according to the principles of quantum mechanics. While diffraction always occurs when propagating waves encounter obstacles in their paths, its effects are generally most pronounced for waves where the wavelength is on the order of the size of the diffracting objects. The complex patterns resulting from the intensity of a diffracted wave are a result of interference between different parts of a wave that traveled to the observer by different paths.

Inductors, Electromagnets, and Permanent Magnets

Superconductors, light, electrons, quantum wells, periodic table, interatomic bonds, free electron waves in metals, band gaps, holes, and zones, metals, insulators, and semiconductors from the perspective of quantum mechanics, semiconductor devices.

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  • Materials Science and Engineering

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Collection  10 March 2022

Top 100 in Materials Science

This collection highlights our most downloaded* materials science papers published in 2021. Featuring authors from around the world, these papers showcase valuable research from an international community.

*Data obtained from SN Inights, which is based on Digital Science's Dimensions.

image of closeup of graphene with honeycomb layers

Ultralight graphene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol aerogel for broadband and tuneable acoustic properties

  • Mario Rapisarda
  • Gian-Piero Malfense Fierro
  • Michele Meo

topics for presentation in material science

The homogenous alternative to biomineralization: Zn- and Mn-rich materials enable sharp organismal “tools” that reduce force requirements

  • R. M. S. Schofield
  • M. H. Nesson

topics for presentation in material science

Enhanced polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by newly isolated rare actinomycetes Rhodococcus sp. strain BSRT1-1 using response surface methodology

  • Chanaporn Trakunjae
  • Antika Boondaeng
  • Pilanee Vaithanomsat

topics for presentation in material science

Development and large volume production of extremely high current density YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 superconducting wires for fusion

  • S. Samoilenkov
  • A. Vasiliev

topics for presentation in material science

A simple and low-cost approach for irreversible bonding of polymethylmethacrylate and polydimethylsiloxane at room temperature for high-pressure hybrid microfluidics

  • Sara Hassanpour-Tamrin
  • Amir Sanati-Nezhad
  • Arindom Sen

topics for presentation in material science

Graphene nanosheets derived from plastic waste for the application of DSSCs and supercapacitors

  • Sandeep Pandey
  • Manoj Karakoti
  • Nanda Gopal Sahoo

topics for presentation in material science

Light-induced levitation of ultralight carbon aerogels via temperature control

  • Ren Takemoto
  • Tomonaga Ueno

topics for presentation in material science

Device simulation of highly efficient eco-friendly CH 3 NH 3 SnI 3 perovskite solar cell

  • Piyush K. Patel

topics for presentation in material science

Effect of glycerol plasticizer loading on the physical, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of arrowroot ( Maranta arundinacea ) starch biopolymers

  • S. M. Sapuan

topics for presentation in material science

Single-layer phase gradient mmWave metasurface for incident angle independent focusing

topics for presentation in material science

Giant multiple caloric effects in charge transition ferrimagnet

  • Yoshihisa Kosugi
  • Masato Goto
  • Yuichi Shimakawa

topics for presentation in material science

Over 30% efficiency bifacial 4-terminal perovskite-heterojunction silicon tandem solar cells with spectral albedo

  • Thanh Thuy Trinh

topics for presentation in material science

High-efficiency, flexibility and lead-free X-ray shielding multilayered polymer composites: layered structure design and shielding mechanism

  • Shaoyun Guo

topics for presentation in material science

Effect of homogenization and solution treatments time on the elevated-temperature mechanical behavior of Inconel 718 fabricated by laser powder bed fusion

  • Eslam M. Fayed
  • Mohammad Saadati
  • Mamoun Medraj

topics for presentation in material science

A novel mechanism to generate metallic single crystals

topics for presentation in material science

3D metal lattice structure manufacturing with continuous rods

  • Bashir Khoda
  • A. M. M. Nazmul Ahsan
  • Adeeb I. Alam

topics for presentation in material science

A double-layer hydrogel based on alginate-carboxymethyl cellulose and synthetic polymer as sustained drug delivery system

  • Xinzhou Yang

topics for presentation in material science

Durable nanocomposite face masks with high particulate filtration and rapid inactivation of coronaviruses

  • Andrew Gonzalez
  • Hamada A. Aboubakr
  • Abdennour Abbas

topics for presentation in material science

Low melting oxide glasses prepared at a melt temperature of 500 °C

  • Hirokazu Masai
  • Toru Nishibe
  • Miki Yoshida

topics for presentation in material science

Environmental biodegradability of recombinant structural protein

  • Yuya Tachibana
  • Sunita Darbe
  • Ken-ichi Kasuya

topics for presentation in material science

Synthesis and performance of ZnO quantum dots water-based fluorescent ink for anti-counterfeiting applications

topics for presentation in material science

Characteristics and electrochemical performances of silicon/carbon nanofiber/graphene composite films as anode materials for binder-free lithium-ion batteries

  • Jin-Yeong Choi
  • Chang-Seop Lee

topics for presentation in material science

Effect of surface carbonates on the cyclability of LiNbO 3 -coated NCM622 in all-solid-state batteries with lithium thiophosphate electrolytes

  • A-Young Kim
  • Florian Strauss
  • Torsten Brezesinski

topics for presentation in material science

Co-continuous network polymers using epoxy monolith for the design of tough materials

  • Ren Tominaga
  • Yukihiro Nishimura
  • Akikazu Matsumoto

topics for presentation in material science

Photocatalytic degradation of organic dye and tetracycline by ternary Ag 2 O/AgBr–CeO 2 photocatalyst under visible-light irradiation

  • Pengpeng Li

topics for presentation in material science

Tough metal-ceramic composites with multifunctional nacre-like architecture

  • Erik Poloni
  • Florian Bouville
  • André R. Studart

topics for presentation in material science

A correlation between grain boundary character and deformation twin nucleation mechanism in coarse-grained high-Mn austenitic steel

  • Chang-Yu Hung
  • Mitsuhiro Murayama

topics for presentation in material science

Monocarborane cluster as a stable fluorine-free calcium battery electrolyte

  • Kazuaki Kisu
  • Sangryun Kim
  • Shin-ichi Orimo

topics for presentation in material science

Shelf-life, quality, safety evaluations of blueberry fruits coated with chitosan nano-material films

  • Sami Rokayya
  • Mahmoud Helal

topics for presentation in material science

An advancement in the synthesis of unique soft magnetic CoCuFeNiZn high entropy alloy thin films

  • Chokkakula L. P. Pavithra
  • Reddy Kunda Siri Kiran Janardhana
  • Suhash Ranjan Dey

topics for presentation in material science

Hemostatic and antibacterial PVA/Kaolin composite sponges loaded with penicillin–streptomycin for wound dressing applications

  • Tamer M. Tamer
  • Maysa M. Sabet
  • Mohamed A. Hassan

topics for presentation in material science

Alternate layer by layered self assembly of conjugated and unconjugated Salen based nanowires as capacitive pseudo supercapacitor

  • Mohammad Mahdi Doroodmand

topics for presentation in material science

Highly efficient self-powered perovskite photodiode with an electron-blocking hole-transport NiO x layer

  • Amir Muhammad Afzal
  • Byoungchoo Park

topics for presentation in material science

Hybrid strategy of graphene/carbon nanotube hierarchical networks for highly sensitive, flexible wearable strain sensors

  • Xiaosheng Zhang

topics for presentation in material science

Evaluation of graphene/crosslinked polyethylene for potential high voltage direct current cable insulation applications

  • Guangya Zhu
  • Guodong Wang

topics for presentation in material science

Electronic and optical properties of vacancy ordered double perovskites A 2 BX 6 (A = Rb, Cs; B = Sn, Pd, Pt; and X = Cl, Br, I): a first principles study

  • Muhammad Faizan
  • K. C. Bhamu
  • Shah Haidar Khan

topics for presentation in material science

An antibacterial coated polymer prevents biofilm formation and implant-associated infection

  • Hiroko Ishihama
  • Morio Matsumoto

topics for presentation in material science

Simultaneously enhanced dielectric properties and through-plane thermal conductivity of epoxy composites with alumina and boron nitride nanosheets

  • Zhengdong Wang
  • Guodong Meng
  • Yonghong Cheng

topics for presentation in material science

Enhanced light extraction efficiency and viewing angle characteristics of microcavity OLEDs by using a diffusion layer

  • Cheol Hwee Park
  • Shin Woo Kang
  • Byeong-Kwon Ju

topics for presentation in material science

Tunable infrared metamaterial-based biosensor for detection of hemoglobin and urine using phase change material

  • Shobhit K. Patel
  • Juveriya Parmar
  • Vigneswaran Dhasarathan

topics for presentation in material science

IoT device fabrication using roll-to-roll printing process

  • Thanh Huy Phung
  • Anton Nailevich Gafurov
  • Taik-Min Lee

topics for presentation in material science

Fluctuation induced conductivity and pseudogap state studies of Bi 1.6 Pb 0.4 Sr 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 10+δ superconductor added with ZnO nanoparticles

  • Morteza Mozaffari

topics for presentation in material science

Wearable porous PDMS layer of high moisture permeability for skin trouble reduction

  • Sunghyun Yoon
  • Young-Ho Cho

topics for presentation in material science

Enhancement in external quantum efficiency of AlGaInP red μ-LED using chemical solution treatment process

  • Byung Oh Jung
  • Wonyong Lee
  • Moon J. Kim

topics for presentation in material science

A rich gallery of carbon dots based photoluminescent suspensions and powders derived by citric acid/urea

  • Joanna D. Stachowska
  • Andrew Murphy
  • Stephen G. Yeates

topics for presentation in material science

Tuning the hierarchical pore structure of graphene oxide through dual thermal activation for high-performance supercapacitor

  • Jeongpil Kim
  • Jeong-Hyun Eum
  • Dae Woo Kim

topics for presentation in material science

Silver decorated CeO 2 nanoparticles for rapid photocatalytic degradation of textile rose bengal dye

  • G. Murugadoss
  • D. Dinesh Kumar
  • P. Sakthivel

topics for presentation in material science

Irradiation resistance mechanism of the CoCrFeMnNi equiatomic high-entropy alloy

topics for presentation in material science

Sericin cocoon bio-compatibilizer for reactive blending of thermoplastic cassava starch

  • Thanongsak Chaiyaso
  • Pornchai Rachtanapun
  • Kittisak Jantanasakulwong

topics for presentation in material science

Unravelling the multi-scale structure–property relationship of laser powder bed fusion processed and heat-treated AlSi10Mg

  • P. Van Cauwenbergh
  • K. Vanmeensel

topics for presentation in material science

Simple linear ionic polysiloxane showing unexpected nanostructure and mechanical properties

  • Mitsuo Hara
  • Yuta Iijima
  • Takahiro Seki

topics for presentation in material science

A non-volatile cryogenic random-access memory based on the quantum anomalous Hall effect

  • Shamiul Alam
  • Md Shafayat Hossain
  • Ahmedullah Aziz

topics for presentation in material science

Enhanced ferroelectric switching speed of Si-doped HfO 2 thin film tailored by oxygen deficiency

  • Kyoungjun Lee
  • Kunwoo Park
  • Seung Chul Chae

topics for presentation in material science

Compact solid-state optical phased array beam scanners based on polymeric photonic integrated circuits

  • Sung-Moon Kim
  • Min-Cheol Oh

topics for presentation in material science

Co-introduction of precipitate hardening and TRIP in a TWIP high-entropy alloy using friction stir alloying

  • Tianhao Wang
  • Shivakant Shukla
  • Rajiv S. Mishra

topics for presentation in material science

Threshold voltage instability and polyimide charging effects of LTPS TFTs for flexible displays

  • Hyojung Kim
  • Jongwoo Park
  • Byoungdeog Choi

topics for presentation in material science

Compositions and antimicrobial properties of binary ZnO–CuO nanocomposites encapsulated calcium and carbon from Calotropis gigantea targeted for skin pathogens

  • G Ambarasan Govindasamy
  • Rabiatul Basria S. M. N. Mydin
  • Nor Hazliana Harun

topics for presentation in material science

Simulation-based roadmap for the integration of poly-silicon on oxide contacts into screen-printed crystalline silicon solar cells

  • Christian N. Kruse
  • Sören Schäfer
  • Rolf Brendel

topics for presentation in material science

Microstructure and properties of additively manufactured Al–Ce–Mg alloys

  • A. Plotkowski

topics for presentation in material science

A computational study of a chemical gas sensor utilizing Pd–rGO composite on SnO 2 thin film for the detection of NO x

  • A. Vimala Juliet

topics for presentation in material science

Tannic acid-functionalized HEPA filter materials for influenza virus capture

  • Jinhyo Chung
  • Woo-Jae Chung

topics for presentation in material science

Accelerated crystal structure prediction of multi-elements random alloy using expandable features

  • Ji Hoon Shim

topics for presentation in material science

Comparison of electrochemical impedance spectra for electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs)

  • Hirofumi Sumi
  • Hiroyuki Shimada
  • Koji Amezawa

topics for presentation in material science

Aluminum doped zinc oxide deposited by atomic layer deposition and its applications to micro/nano devices

  • Nguyen Van Toan
  • Truong Thi Kim Tuoi
  • Takahito Ono

topics for presentation in material science

Enhancement of mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of electrodeposited Ni–P–TiC composite coatings

  • Osama Fayyaz
  • Paul C. Okonkwo

topics for presentation in material science

Thermo-mechanical properties of pretreated coir fiber and fibrous chips reinforced multilayered composites

  • K. M. Faridul Hasan
  • Péter György Horváth
  • Tibor Alpár

topics for presentation in material science

Fabrication of a state of the art mesh lock polymer for water based solid free drilling fluid

  • Chaoqun Wang

topics for presentation in material science

Prominent luminescence of silicon-vacancy defects created in bulk silicon carbide p–n junction diodes

  • Fumiya Nagasawa
  • Makoto Takamura
  • Ken Nakahara

topics for presentation in material science

Thermoplastic polyurethane flexible capacitive proximity sensor reinforced by CNTs for applications in the creative industries

  • Reza Moheimani
  • Nojan Aliahmad
  • Hamid Dalir

topics for presentation in material science

Novel hybrid method to additively manufacture denser graphite structures using Binder Jetting

  • Vladimir Popov
  • Alexander Fleisher
  • Saurav Goel

topics for presentation in material science

Design and fabrication of a semi-transparent solar cell considering the effect of the layer thickness of MoO 3 /Ag/MoO 3 transparent top contact on optical and electrical properties

  • Çağlar Çetinkaya
  • Erman Çokduygulular
  • Süleyman Özçelik

topics for presentation in material science

3D conformal bandpass millimeter-wave frequency selective surface with improved fields of view

  • H. Fernández Álvarez
  • Darren A. Cadman
  • Shiyu Zhang

topics for presentation in material science

Influence of plasma treatment on SiO 2 /Si and Si 3 N 4 /Si substrates for large-scale transfer of graphene

  • M. Lukosius

topics for presentation in material science

Ultra-high rate of temperature increment from superparamagnetic nanoparticles for highly efficient hyperthermia

  • Jae-Hyeok Lee
  • Sang-Koog Kim

topics for presentation in material science

Corrosion protection properties of different inhibitors containing PEO/LDHs composite coating on magnesium alloy AZ31

  • Fusheng Pan

topics for presentation in material science

Predicting structural material degradation in advanced nuclear reactors with ion irradiation

  • Stephen Taller
  • Gerrit VanCoevering
  • Gary S. Was

topics for presentation in material science

Systematic THz study of the substrate effect in limiting the mobility of graphene

  • Samantha Scarfe
  • Jean-Michel Ménard

topics for presentation in material science

Different cellulosic polymers for synthesizing silver nanoparticles with antioxidant and antibacterial activities

  • Ahmed A. H. Abdellatif
  • Hamad N. H. Alturki
  • Hesham M. Tawfeek

topics for presentation in material science

Potential of garnet sand as an unconventional resource of the critical high-technology metals scandium and rare earth elements

  • Franziska Klimpel
  • Michael Bau
  • Torsten Graupner

topics for presentation in material science

Combined nano and micro structuring for enhanced radiative cooling and efficiency of photovoltaic cells

  • George Perrakis
  • Anna C. Tasolamprou
  • Maria Kafesaki

topics for presentation in material science

Machine learning-based microstructure prediction during laser sintering of alumina

  • Jianan Tang

topics for presentation in material science

Heterogeneously integrated ITO plasmonic Mach–Zehnder interferometric modulator on SOI

  • Rishi Maiti
  • Volker J. Sorger

topics for presentation in material science

Preparation of hydrogen, fluorine and chlorine doped and co-doped titanium dioxide photocatalysts: a theoretical and experimental approach

  • Petros-Panagis Filippatos
  • Anastasia Soultati
  • Alexander Chroneos

topics for presentation in material science

High-performance gallium nitride dielectric metalenses for imaging in the visible

  • Meng-Hsin Chen
  • Wei-Ning Chou
  • Hoang Yan Lin

topics for presentation in material science

Nitrogen and boron doped carbon layer coated multiwall carbon nanotubes as high performance anode materials for lithium ion batteries

  • Xiaolei Sun
  • Guang-Ping Hao

topics for presentation in material science

3D printing of a bio-based ink made of cross-linked cellulose nanofibrils with various metal cations

  • J. Benedikt Mietner
  • Xuehe Jiang
  • Julien R. G. Navarro

topics for presentation in material science

A common optical approach to thickness optimization in polymer and perovskite solar cells

  • Olga D. Iakobson
  • Oxana L. Gribkova
  • Jean-Michel Nunzi

topics for presentation in material science

High-speed and high-precision PbSe/PbI 2 solution process mid-infrared camera

  • Hannaneh Dortaj
  • Mahboubeh Dolatyari
  • Reza Yadipour

topics for presentation in material science

Experimental and numerical perspective on the fire performance of MXene/Chitosan/Phytic acid coated flexible polyurethane foam

  • Anthony Chun Yin Yuen
  • Guan Heng Yeoh

topics for presentation in material science

Rheological, physicochemical, and microstructural properties of asphalt binder modified by fumed silica nanoparticles

  • Goshtasp Cheraghian
  • Michael P. Wistuba
  • Ali Behnood

topics for presentation in material science

Versatilely tuned vertical silicon nanowire arrays by cryogenic reactive ion etching as a lithium-ion battery anode

  • Andam Deatama Refino
  • Nursidik Yulianto
  • Hutomo Suryo Wasisto

topics for presentation in material science

Effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hybrid natural fibre/phenol formaldehyde composites

  • Sekar Sanjeevi
  • Vigneshwaran Shanmugam

topics for presentation in material science

Large scale self-assembly of plasmonic nanoparticles on deformed graphene templates

  • Matthew T. Gole
  • SungWoo Nam

topics for presentation in material science

Impact of device scaling on the electrical properties of MoS 2 field-effect transistors

  • Goutham Arutchelvan
  • Quentin Smets
  • Iuliana Radu

topics for presentation in material science

Phase-transition-induced jumping, bending, and wriggling of single crystal nanofibers of coronene

  • Ken Takazawa
  • Jun-ichi Inoue
  • Peter C. M. Christianen

topics for presentation in material science

A photoanode with hierarchical nanoforest TiO 2 structure and silver plasmonic nanoparticles for flexible dye sensitized solar cell

  • Brishty Deb Choudhury
  • Mohammed Jasim Uddin

topics for presentation in material science

Experimental evaluation of bamboo fiber/particulate coconut shell hybrid PVC composite

  • Adeolu A. Adediran
  • Abayomi A. Akinwande
  • Olanrewaju S. Adesina

topics for presentation in material science

Magnetoactive acoustic metamaterials based on nanoparticle-enhanced diaphragm

  • Xingwei Tang
  • Shanjun Liang

topics for presentation in material science

A comparative study of nano-fillers to improve toughness and modulus of polymer-derived ceramics

  • Mohammad Mirkhalaf
  • Hamidreza Yazdani Sarvestani
  • Behnam Ashrafi

topics for presentation in material science

Impact of g force and timing on the characteristics of platelet-rich fibrin matrices

  • Ana B. Castro
  • M. Quirynen

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    Topics Annotated Slides Topics Annotated Slides Orientation: Research and Careers in Materials Science and Engineering (PDF - 2.6 MB) (Courtesy of Prof. Caroline Ross. Used with permission.) L1 Classical or Quantum: Electrons as Waves, Wave Mechanics \n \n

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    Students are introduced to the multidisciplinary field of material science. Through a class demo and PowerPoint® presentation, they learn the basic classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites) and how they differ from one another, considering concepts such as stress, strain, ductile, brittle, deformation and fracture. Practical examples help students understand how the ...

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    This Guide was created to help Ph.D. students in engineering fields to design dissertation defense presentations. The Guide provides 1) tips on how to effectively communicate research, and 2) full presentation examples from Ph.D. graduates. The tips on designing effective slides are not restricted to dissertation defense presentations; they can ...

  6. Materials Science and Engineering

    Course Description. This course introduces the competition between energetics and disorder that underpins materials thermodynamics. Classical thermodynamic concepts are presented in the context of phase equilibria including phase transformations, phase diagrams, and chemical reactions. The course also covers computerized thermodynamics ….

  7. Fundamentals of Materials Science

    This course focuses on the fundamentals of structure, energetics, and bonding that underpin materials science. It is the introductory lecture class for sophomore students in Materials Science and Engineering, taken with 3.014 and 3.016 to create a unified introduction to the subject. Topics include: an introduction to thermodynamic functions and laws governing equilibrium properties, relating ...

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    Materials science is a varied and interdisciplinary topic that covers the design and discovery of new solid materials such as metals, polymers, semiconductors, and ceramics. Work within the field examines the relationships between the structure and properties of a material and how it is made. This allows the development of new materials and ...

  9. Materials Science Projects, Lessons, Activities

    Materials Science Projects, Lessons, Activities. (71 results) Materials science is a fascinating area of research that is often at the cutting edge of science and engineering. It involves both developing new materials and improving on existing ones, and has important applications both for improving daily life and for advancing other fields of ...

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    Design Tips to Create an Outstanding Science Presentation. A strong Science presentation goes beyond just the material; it's also about your delivery. To make a presentation that hits home, think about these design pointers: Keep it Simple: Don't overwhelm your audience. Focus on main ideas and use easy-to-understand words.

  11. Research Topics

    Research in the field of Sensor Materials and Technologies includes such topics as electrochemical sensors for environmental and high-temperature applications, bulk, nanowires, and heterostructures, chemical sensors for breath and skin, implantable biosensors, devices for artificial olfaction, and much more. Welding Engineering.

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    In physics, the electric displacement field or electric induction is a vector field \mathbf {D} that appears in Maxwell's equations. It accounts for the effects of unbound charges within materials. "D" stands for "displacement," as in the related concept of displacement current in dielectrics. Electronic polarizability:

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    materials science, the study of the properties of solid materials and how those properties are determined by a material's composition and structure. It grew out of an amalgam of solid-state physics, metallurgy, and chemistry, since the rich variety of materials properties cannot be understood within the context of any single classical discipline.With a basic understanding of the origins of ...

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    Research Topics. The Materials Science and Engineering faculty maintain a large array of active programs and specialized facilities in seven key areas of advanced materials research: Biomaterials. Ceramic and polymer-ceramic composite materials for orthopedic and dental implants, bone repair, delivery of bone-regenerative drugs, and coatings ...