affect the performance of various build-
ing materials, such as wood, steel, con-
crete, and so on, is essential.
Are advances in technology
fundamental to our understanding
of materials?
Yes, advances in technology are truly fun-
damental to our understanding of materi-
als, and vice versa. For example, transis-
tors and superconductors were developed
by understanding the mathematics of the
materials that make up these objects.
Math and materials science together have
also advanced technology used in infra-
structure (such as highways and over-
passes), aerospace (such as satellites and
shuttles), and micro-electronics (such as
those found in automobiles). Today, the
need to describe material behavior result-
ing from physical interactions is forcing
scientists to develop new mathematics. In fact, materials science has evolved to the
point in which researchers from physics, engineering, and applied mathematics are
working together on common problems.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
How is mathematics used in chemical engineering?
Mathematics is used a great deal in chemical engineering, especially since chemical
engineers design materials and the processes by which those materials are made. To
solve chemical problems, many types of mathematics are used, not least of which is
calculus (including partial differential equations). Even simple calculations, such as
working on chemical formulas and equations, involve mathematics. (For more infor-
mation about chemical formulas and equations, see “Math in the Physical Sciences.”)
Traditionally, chemical engineers worked in the petroleum and large-scale chemi-
cal industries. More recently, they have spread out to the pharmaceutical, foodstuff,
polymer and material, microelectronics, and biotechnology industries. Using mathe-
matics, they are involved in such studies as thermodynamics, chemical reaction
processes, and process dynamics, design, and control. They help to develop new chem- 341
MATH IN ENGINEERING
The interweaving, bow tie-like structures of a free-
way overpass in Los Angeles are made possible only
through the knowledge of mathematics and materi-
als science. Stone/Getty Images.