Premium
Simplicity as a Route to Impact in Materials Research
Author(s) -
Tian Xinchun,
Lind Kara R.,
Yuan Bin,
Shaw Santosh,
Siemianowski Oskar,
Cademartiri Ludovico
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201604681
Subject(s) - simplicity , simple (philosophy) , nanotechnology , materials science , biochemical engineering , computer science , data science , management science , epistemology , engineering , philosophy
Materials scientists and engineers desire to have an impact. In this Progress Report we postulate a close correlation between impact – whether academic, technological, or scientific – and simple solutions, here defined as solutions that are inexpensive, reliable, predictable, highly performing, “stackable” (i.e., they can be combined and compounded with little increase in complexity), and “hackable” (i.e., they can be easily modified and optimized). In light of examples and our own experience, we propose how impact can be pursued systematically in materials research through a simplicity‐driven approach to discovery‐driven or problem‐driven research.