Material World

Material World explores the unseen yet pivotal elements shaping modern civilization, from energy and material sciences to industrial strategies. It delves into the historical, economic, and technological nuances of materials like steel, glass, and salt, and their roles in everyday life and global development.

Energy and Sustainability Industrial and Technological Development Environmental Issues and Solutions Material Science and Engineering Global Economy and Trade Historical Technological Advances Modern Industrial Strategies

The hottest Substack posts of Material World

And their main takeaways

Further Reading

164 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🚌 Education Books Science History Research Reading
  1. There is a wide range of reading materials available to delve deeper into the topics discussed in the book.
  2. Various books and resources are recommended for exploring different aspects of material science, such as sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium.
  3. Authors and specific books are highlighted as excellent starting points for those interested in learning more about specific material-related subjects.

Beyond Gigafactories

229 implied HN points • 29 May 23
🕹 Technology Industrialization Energy transition Supply Chain
  1. Gigafactories are important for countries' car industries to keep high-skilled jobs and stay competitive in the shift to electric vehicles.
  2. The value in electric cars is mainly in the battery, which is prompting the need for countries to develop their own battery and component manufacturing.
  3. Building gigafactories is just the start - countries also need to focus on producing the chemicals and materials that go into batteries to truly benefit from the electric vehicle market.

The Race to Win the Industrial Revolution

218 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
💼 Business Green Technology Economic Policy Manufacturing Subsidies
  1. A small company in northern Britain, AMTE, has a significant history in battery technology development.
  2. The US Inflation Reduction Act offers hefty subsidies for manufacturers, causing companies like AMTE to consider relocating production.
  3. The UK faces a challenge in determining its industrial strategy amidst global competition in green technology subsidies.

It's Material World Week!

175 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
💼 Business Books Economy Innovation Environment Industry
  1. Writing and selling a book is a unique process for a journalist, involving a mix of excitement and awkward self-promotion.
  2. The book 'Material World' became even more relevant because of rapidly changing industrial and political landscapes.
  3. The future of technologies like e-fuels and batteries is likely to be diverse, not dominated by a single solution.
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The Eerie Story of Low Background Steel

131 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🔬 Science Radiation History Innovation Research
  1. Raiders are targeting old shipwrecks to obtain low background steel, a rare metal free of radiation.
  2. Steel made before 1945 is valuable for products sensitive to radiation due to its lack of radionuclides.
  3. Despite advancements in reducing radiation in steel, there is still interest in obtaining pre-1945 steel for specific uses.

Atoms for Copper

120 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🔬 Science Mining Innovation Nuclear Environmental Impact
  1. Copper is a vital metal in our daily lives, but it is becoming harder to obtain in high quantities due to diminishing natural resources.
  2. In the past, there were radical ideas, like using nuclear weapons for mining copper, but technological advancements in mining techniques eventually proved more effective.
  3. Innovation in mining methods has been a gradual process, leading to better extraction of metals like copper, making them more accessible and affordable over time.

World of Glass

87 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🔬 Science Technology History Innovation Discoveries
  1. Glass is a crucial material in modern civilization and advanced technology.
  2. The world's scientific and cultural advancements have been heavily influenced by the use of glass.
  3. The production and use of glass have played significant roles in historical events and technological developments.

Why We Need More Maps

98 implied HN points • 12 Feb 23
  1. Maps are crucial for understanding the economy and complexities of global systems.
  2. Charts and statistics simplify issues, but maps provide a deeper understanding of interconnections.
  3. In the face of supply chain challenges and an evolving economy, the need for new and improved maps to navigate the complex economic landscape is emphasized.

Britain's headlong slide from silicon supremacy to silicon irrelevance

6 HN points • 19 May 23
🕹 Technology Innovation Semiconductors Manufacturing
  1. In the 1940s and '50s, Britain was at the forefront of semiconductor research and came close to inventing the integrated circuit before the U.S.
  2. Geoffrey Dummer, an English engineer, almost changed history by conceptualizing the integrated circuit in 1952.
  3. The UK's semiconductor sector faces challenges, and the government's new Integrated Semiconductor Strategy indicates a potential shift towards a 21st century industrial strategy.

It’s the Energy, Stupid

2 HN points • 22 Feb 23
🔬 Science Energy Economy Agriculture Environment Technology
  1. Energy is a critical driving force behind the economy, impacting everything from the production of goods to the growth of vegetables like tomatoes.
  2. The availability and cost of energy play a significant role in various industries, such as greenhouse farming for vegetables and manufacturing sectors.
  3. Energy efficiency is improving, but energy remains a crucial input for processes like producing solar panels and other advanced technologies, highlighting its importance in future advancements.