Inside E-MRS World - Vol. 4 / No. 1 - June 2025
|
|
Peace and Sustainability:
|
|
Materials play a crucial role in society; a role which is often overlooked, similar to the role of science and technology, when it is not taken for granted altogether. At the same time, our use of materials and technologies has been irresponsible and unsustainable, especially during the past two centuries.
For those of us involved in research, scientific societies like the E-MRS constitute a platform for networking as well as exchange of ideas and dissemination of knowledge. Yet such societies can represent so much more. After more than 40 years and perhaps close to 80 meetings since its inception, we have barely scratched the surface of what we can achieve as a scientific society. The E-MRS is a healthy society, and by building on its solid foundations, it can and should do a lot more for its members and for society as a whole.
We just emerged from a global pandemic which claimed millions of lives and eroded the public’s trust in science and scientists. On a seemingly unrelated note, from a geopolitical viewpoint, we are witnessing an increase in violence and hostilities in Europe and elsewhere, which is prompting a very perilous upsurge in military spending.
Let this editorial be a peaceful response to current challenges, a reaction to public skepticism about science, and a “call to materials arms” for us materials scientists to step up to the plate and deliver on our promises.
The use we make of materials will determine whether we merge onto a sustainable path or perish due to our irresponsible habits of consumption and production. Choosing the right materials will make all the difference, as materials will be needed to rebuild infrastructure in (...)
All issues can be downloaded here:
