What is the Applied Materials Science Laboratory?

Materials science deals with the production, characterisation and testing of those solid substances that are used or are to be introduced in technical, scientific or private environments; foodstuffs, building materials and biochemical products are not included, as they are the subject of separate disciplines.

Materials science is considered a key expertise, both nationally and internationally:
The development and application of new and "classic" materials are of considerable importance in both medium-sized and large-scale industry; there is also considerable growth potential, especially in the high-tech sector.

The considerable scope of the term is based on a relatively manageable number of elementary solid-state chemical and physical findings that are addressed in the Applied Materials Science field of study, with the aim of providing students with an overview of chemical materials technology.
Ultimately, students in the field of study should be given the skills to deal with known materials and to take up new developments independently.
In order to meet this requirement, extensive analytical and preparative skills must be acquired in addition to sound theoretical knowledge.

Münster University of Applied Sciences focuses on the understanding of functional materials, i.e. those materials that fulfil a mechanical, chemical, electronic or optical function in a unique way.

Examples of such substances are modern high-temperature superconductors, luminescent materials (e.g. for energy-saving lamps and laser materials), liquid crystals (screens, displays), semiconductors (diodes, transistors, microchips, ...) and dielectric ceramics (insulators, capacitors, ...) or optical glasses (glass fibres, UV and colour filters, ...).

Some of these are - among others - also the subject of current research projects at the University of Applied Sciences, which students are introduced to at an early stage.