ABSTRACT

The properties of the macroscopic materials are the features of interest to the engineer. How we measure and define the properties of materials is the first task to be considered. However, the engineer needs also to understand that the properties of the material are a complex function of attributes of the material ranging from the atomic level upwards. By understanding some of the basic attributes of materials at these scales, we not only understand the attributes of a material, but also understand how to control and modify the attributes of a material.