Making the modern world : materials and dematerialization

Resource Information

The work Making the modern world : materials and dematerialization represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Missouri University of Science & Technology Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Making the modern world : materials and dematerialization

Title remainder

materials and dematerialization

Statement of responsibility

Vaclav Smil

Creator

• Smil, Vaclav

Subject

• Environnement -- Études d'impact
• Konsumgesellschaft
• Materials
• Materials
• Naturmaterial
• Natürliche Ressourcen
• Raw materials
• Raw materials
• Dématérialisation (informatique)
• Ressourcenökonomie
• TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Material Science
• Transition énergétique
• Verarbeitung
• Waste minimization
• Waste minimization
• Werkstoffkunde
• Recycling

Language

eng

Summary

• "How much further should the affluent world push its material consumption? Does relative dematerialization lead to absolute decline in demand for materials? These and many other questions are discussed and answered in Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization.Over the course of time, the modern world has become dependent on unprecedented flows of materials. Now even the most efficient production processes and the highest practical rates of recycling may not be enough to result in dematerialization rates that would be high enough to negate the rising demand for materials generated by continuing population growth and rising standards of living. This book explores the costs of this dependence and the potential for substantial dematerialization of modern economies. Making the Modern World: Materials and Dematerialization considers the principal materials used throughout history, from wood and stone, through to metals, alloys, plastics, and silicon, describing their extraction and production as well as their dominant applications. The evolving productivities of material extraction, processing, synthesis, finishing, and distribution, and the energy costs and environmental impact of rising material consumption are examined in detail. The book concludes with an outlook for the future, discussing the prospects for dematerialization and potential constraints on materials.This interdisciplinary text will provide useful perspectives for readers with backgrounds including resource economics, environmental studies, energy analysis, mineral geology, industrial organization, manufacturing, and material science"--
• "Aiming to elucidate the complexity of material flows of modern societies, their prerequisites and their consequences"--

Assigning source

• Provided by publisher
• Provided by publisher

Cataloging source

DLC

Dewey number

306.3

Index

index present

LC call number

TD793.9

LC item number

.S64 2014

Literary form

non fiction