Essay

Materials Science in the Developing World: Challenges and Perspectives for Africa†

  1. Federico Rosei1,*,
  2. Lionel Vayssieres2,*,
  3. Patrick Mensah3,*

Article first published online: 12 NOV 2008

DOI: 10.1002/adma.200802222

Issue

Advanced Materials

Advanced Materials

Volume 20, Issue 24, pages 4627–4640, December 17, 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Rosei, F., Vayssieres, L. and Mensah, P. (2008), Materials Science in the Developing World: Challenges and Perspectives for Africa. Adv. Mater., 20: 4627–4640. doi: 10.1002/adma.200802222

Author Information

  1. 1

    Canada Research Chair in Nanostructured Organic and Inorganic Materials Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Energie, Matériaux et Télécommunications Université du Québec 1650 Boul. Lionel-Boulet, J3X 1S2 Varennes, QC (Canada)

  2. 2

    World Premier International Center for Materials NanoArchitectonics National Institute for Materials Science Namiki 1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0044 (Japan)

  3. 3

    Formosa Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Southern University and A&M College Baton Rouge, LA 70813 (USA)

*Canada Research Chair in Nanostructured Organic and Inorganic Materials Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Energie, Matériaux et Télécommunications Université du Québec 1650 Boul. Lionel-Boulet, J3X 1S2 Varennes, QC (Canada).

  1. †

    F. R. acknowledges the Canada Research Chairs program for partial salary support. The authors' participation in MRS Africa 2007 was funded by the International Center for Materials Research (UCSB) and the International Centers for Young Scientists and for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan (L.V.), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Research Chairs program (F.R.) and the National Science Foundation (P.F.M.). We are grateful to F. Stellacci, A. Tavares, T.W. Johnston, C. Santato, S. Minsky, R. and S. Rosei for critical readings of the manuscript and M. Arella and M. Chaker for helpful discussions.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 16 DEC 2008
  2. Article first published online: 12 NOV 2008
  3. Manuscript Received: 31 JUL 2008

Funded by

  • International Center for Materials Research (UCSB)
  • International Centers for Young Scientists and for Materials Nanoarchitectonics
  • National Institute for Materials Science, Japan (L.V.)
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Research Chairs program (F.R.)
  • National Science Foundation (P.F.M.)

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Keywords:

  • Nanostructured materials;
  • Sustainable development;
  • Nanofabrication;
  • Materials science;
  • Materials education

Abstract

“Africans believe in something that is difficult to render in English. We call it ubuntu or botho. It means the essence of being human. You know when it is there and when it is absent. It speaks about humanness, gentleness, hospitality, putting yourself out on behalf of others, being vulnerable. It embraces compassion and roughness. It recognizes that my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together” (Desmond Tutu)

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