Architecture Lecture Series: Andrew Dent, "How Materials Science can help you predict the future of the built environment"

Materials Scientist Andrew Dent provides an overview of materials in the twentieth century and the projected future of the field. The Englishman received his PhD in Materials Science from the University of Cambridge in the UK and is Vice President of Material ConneXion, a leading resource of information on materials. He begins the lecture with a brief history of materials starting at the industrial revolution before going into emerging trends, a focus on the new materials revolution and the “cradle to cradle” methodology. Dent breaks down materials into six types (metals, polymers, ceramics/glass, cement/concrete, composites and natural materials) and describes strengths, weaknesses and opportunities relating to the application of materials in architecture.