MATERIALS

Strong, durable and — relative to load-bearing capacity — light are what characterize composite materials. Thousands of years ago the Egyptians added straw to mud to create a stronger brick and in the future, composites will be along for the ride to new planets due to their strength and light weight. But while composites undergird our modern culture, they’re also raising alarms. Cheap, disposable packaging and household goods are made using dirty processes that threaten the health of species and the planet’s natural systems.

Lightweighting — building with light, engineered materials like carbon fibers to cut fuel consumption – is seen as a valuable tool in cutting CO2 output and bringing climate change under control. Lightweight materials are used in all modes of transportation, from ships to rail to flight.