What is materials science?

Summary

In this first episode of *Kitchen Matters*, a team of MIT Materials Science graduate students applies materials science to the art of brownie-making. They explore the relationship between a material's structure, properties, processing, and performance using the 'materials science tetrahedron'. By balancing the preferences of different team members, they create an optimized brownie recipe that is both fudgy and cakey, with crispy corners. Along the way, they demonstrate how materials science principles can be applied to food, setting the stage for future episodes focused on understanding and creating more complex dishes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Materials science is the study of the relationship between a material's structure (atomic arrangement) and its properties (how it behaves).
• 😀 The materials science tetrahedron includes four main components: structure, properties, processing, and performance.
• 😀 Processing involves manipulating a material (e.g., heating, cooling) to alter its structure and, in turn, its properties.
• 😀 Performance refers to how well a material performs in a given context, depending on its properties.
• 😀 Brownies, like all foods, are made of atoms and can be analyzed using materials science principles like any other material.
• 😀 In making brownies, performance criteria include chocolatey richness, cakey texture, and crispy corners.
• 😀 Structure decisions for brownies involve selecting ingredients (e.g., flour, butter) and determining whether to add baking powder for leavening.
• 😀 To meet multiple preferences (chocolatey vs. cakey), a high chocolate-to-flour ratio can be used, alongside baking powder for rise.
• 😀 Processing for brownies includes baking instructions (e.g., temperature, baking time) and deciding on pan shape (square for crispy corners).
• 😀 Characterization in materials science refers to testing to assess structure and properties; for brownies, this means tasting them to see if they meet the desired criteria.
• 😀 Achieving the 'perfect' brownie is difficult because different people have different preferences, and compromises may be necessary.
• 😀 The series will teach viewers to apply materials science principles to everyday foods, allowing them to better understand and create foods like Liège waffles and more.

Q & A

What is materials science?

Materials science is the study of the relationship between a material's structure (how the atoms are arranged) and its properties (how it behaves). It applies to all materials, from building materials like steel to electronic materials like silicon.

What is the materials science tetrahedron?

The materials science tetrahedron is a model that shows the relationships between four key concepts: structure, properties, processing, and performance. It emphasizes how these concepts are interrelated and how they influence each other in material design.

What are the four components of the materials science tetrahedron?

The four components of the materials science tetrahedron are structure, properties, processing, and performance.

How does processing affect a material?

Processing refers to the various treatments applied to a material, such as heating, cooling, or rolling. These treatments alter the material's structure, which in turn affects its properties and performance.

What is the importance of performance in materials science?

Performance refers to how well a material fulfills its intended function. It is directly influenced by the material's properties, which can be modified through processing and structure design.

How can materials science principles be applied to baking brownies?

In baking brownies, the concepts of materials science can be applied to optimize the texture and taste based on structure (ingredients), processing (baking techniques), and performance (how well the brownies meet everyone's expectations).

What factors influenced the decision-making process for the ideal brownie recipe?

The decision-making was based on the team's differing preferences: Ming wanted a chocolatey brownie, Cammie preferred a cakey texture, and Robin desired crispy corners. The recipe was optimized to balance these preferences.

What role does structure play in making the optimal brownies?

Structure in this context refers to the shape, form, and ingredients used in the brownies. The decision on the brownie structure, like the amount of flour and chocolate, directly influences whether the brownie turns out fudgy or cakey.

Why is baking powder used in the brownie recipe?

Baking powder is used to act as a leavening agent, which helps make the brownies more cakey by introducing air bubbles into the batter during baking.

How do you characterize the success of the brownies?

The brownies are characterized by evaluating their texture and flavor to see if they meet the team's preferences. In this case, the brownies had crispy corners (satisfying Robin), but they may not have been fudgy enough for Ming or cakey enough for Cammie.