Extolling the virtues of advanced materials

The importance of advanced materials in daily life is overlooked because of the focus placed on their end products, from cars to smartphones. There is no consideration for the materials that help deliver solutions for a sustainable, healthy and safe world.

To raise overall awareness on advanced materials, the EU-funded 'Stimulating the public attitude towards advanced materials' (STIMULATE) project is designing a variety of media products in 23 European languages, targeting ordinary citizens and youth.

The project conveys the role advanced materials play in health, environment, technology, innovation and energy. The focus is on showing how these materials are finding innovative solutions to everyday issues and challenges that benefit all.

To achieve this, project partners are developing a film and an interactive computer game. The character-led feature film documentary aims to present materials science, processes and innovations, and the people involved in research and development. The web-based game is designed to demonstrate the significance of materials science to European youth aged 14 to 17. In doing so, it hopes to attract, motivate and encourage them to pursue the field.

During the first reporting period, the team selected themes and content for the film and game. A prototype for the game was developed and then successfully tested. Production on the audiovisual materials for the film is underway, and the script has been finalised.

The project website has been set up and translated into nine languages.

By presenting the wide-ranging socioeconomic and environmental benefits of advanced materials, STIMULATE will help to involve, educate and empower Europeans of all ages.