Stuff Matters Exploring the Marvelous Materials that Shape Our Man-made World

New York Times Notable Book (2014) · Winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books “Miodownik, a materials scientist, explains the history and science behind things such as paper, glass, chocolate, and concrete with an infectious enthusiasm.” — Scientific American Why is glass see-through? What makes elastic stretchy?

Why does any material look and behave the way it does? These are the kinds of questions that renowned materials scientist Mark Miodownik constantly asks himself. From the steel in his razor to the foam in his sneakers, Miodownik explores the surprising stories of the materials that make up our everyday world — revealing the hidden science, art, and wonder in the stuff all around us.

Full of fascinating insights and delightful storytelling, Stuff Matters uncovers the miracles of engineering that shape our modern lives — and will forever change the way you see the objects you touch every day. “Stuff Matters is about hidden wonders, the astonishing properties of materials we think boring, banal, and unworthy of attention... It’s possible this science and these stories have been told elsewhere, but like the best chocolatiers, Miodownik gets the blend right.”

— The New York Times Book Review About the Author:Mark Miodownik is Professor of Materials and Society at University College London and Director of the Institute of Making, home to a materials library containing some of the most wondrous matter on earth. He lives in London.