Sustainable development of materials: Broadening stakeholder engagement

Abstract

Abstract We present a transformative vision for future materials selection, processing, and design decisions in the context of sustainability. Specifically, we highlight the concept of sustainable development of materials and the need to broaden the range of stakeholders engaged in materials design decisions. For instance, beyond the traditional structure–processing–performance triangle, there is a critical need to incorporate sustainability metrics into materials design. Such metrics embrace concepts of green chemistry and chemicals management, critical materials and materials circularity, materials substitution and alternatives assessment. Implementation requires broad engagement beyond the traditional materials science and engineering boundaries, including global perspectives on public policy, governance, economics, and public health. Educational norms clearly must also change, together with workforce development programs and comprehensive industrial buy-in. This vision is further expanded upon in the articles in this issue, which we summarize here, providing highlights of each article and identifying critical intersections among the topics presented, thereby providing a framework to realize our vision.

Graphical Abstract