Below is a short list of current goals in materials science engineering. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is just meant to give you an idea of what is going on in the field of materials science research today.

• Develop structural materials with high temperature stability to increase engine efficiency at high temperatures
• Develop strong, chemically stable, rust- and corrosion-resistant materials for use in construction
• Develop lightweight, mechanically strong materials for high-speed flight
• Develop strong, cost-efficient types of glass to make unbreakable windows increasingly available to the general public
• Develop materials to facilitate the processing of nuclear waste
• Develop fibers with extremely low light absorption for use in optical communication cables