UP Materials Science Society

13/05/2026

Ganito pala sa Maynila! Maingay, mausok, mainet, mainet, goodness gracious ang inet!

It’s the middle of the summer, you’re outside, the weather is hot and the air is very humid. You wonder why you forgot to bring an umbrella or a hat. So, with nothing else to do, you stare up into the sky; no clouds in sight, the sun is shining so radiantly, and everything feels so bright, so bright in fact that you feel that you’ll be blinded by its heavenly light! You searched your pockets and alas! You brought your special polarized glasses which could reduce the glare from the sun and make it easier for you to see the world clearly.

Let’s put our glasses on and learn how these can make our world more vivid as we frolic under the sun on this week’s Wisdom Wednesday!

Light is a transverse electromagnetic (EM) wave, which means that it has an electric and magnetic field that fluctuates repeatedly in a direction perpendicular to the light’s propagation. As light travels away from a source, it vibrates like a rippling whip in all directions. Incident light is naturally “randomly polarized” that is, the angle of orientation of the electric field waves varies with each ray. Polarization is a characteristic of all EM waves, including visible light. With polarization, the oscillations of the electric field vector of light become restricted. This happens when light is absorbed (through filters), reflected, and scattered. When light is reflected on a shiny, smooth, horizontal surface, such as bodies of waters, roads, snow, metallic surfaces, the resulting reflected light is polarized and aligns itself horizontally. When this reaches your eyes, it becomes a blinding light which we know as glare.

Polarized glasses are specially designed to reduce these glares. Polarized glasses filter light by having vertical openings within the glasses’ structure which block horizontally polarized glare from passing through. Imagine a wooden fence with thin vertical gaps in-between each board, as light is shone across the fence, only light that passes through the vertical gaps can be seen behind the fence; the same principle applies to polarized glasses. The images that you can see behind these glasses are now slightly darker but more clear and vibrant. This glare reduction improves vision and reduces eyestrain which makes these glasses helpful for different outdoor activities, particularly when the sun is out in the sky.

How could these mere glasses achieve such amazing feats?

To filter light, a chemical film is applied to the surface of the plastic or glass lens. The compound used for this film is usually made out of molecules that naturally align parallel to each other. When uniformly applied, it creates a microscopic filter that absorbs light that aligns with its arrangement. In order to accomplish this, manufacturers, such as SunRx, place long chains of hydrocarbon molecules onto a thin film of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The film is then heated and stretched, causing the molecules to align, then dipped into a solution containing electrically conducting molecules, such as iodine to create a microscopic network of dark parallel lines blocking light that travels perpendicularly. Other modifications are also done to the glasses to enhance performance and durability like adding tints of different colors for better glare reduction and color contrast, as well as coatings that improve light absorption, protection and scratch resistance.

Although polarized glasses are very helpful, as a safety precaution, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t wear these glasses during lowlight conditions, such as driving at night and while looking at liquid crystal display (LCD) screens as it might reduce visibility. Regardless, polarized glasses prove that materials science and engineering is here to make every aspect of our lives more vivid and vibrant one innovation at a time!

Hope you have an eventful summer and goodness gracious! Don't stay out under the sun for too long!

Content by: Kent Irvin Acuyong and Karolina Victoria Lopez
Design by: Ched Andrea Galindez

Are you ready to be WEISS-er? Access our references to learn more at tinyurl.com/upmssWW

Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by the UP Materials Science Society. Want more knowledge? Stay tuned next week for another amazing Wisdom Wednesday!

13/05/2026

Looking for affordable fashion finds and delicious snacks? Come join our Thrift and Treats event for a day filled with ukay treasures, tasty food, and good vibes! ✨🛍️🍔
Don’t miss out on the best budget-friendly finds and food trip in one event. Visit us at the DMMME Lobby from May 13–15, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM!
In partnership with:
Eskinita Coffee
Chicken City
Octo Takoyaki

Looking for affordable fashion finds and delicious snacks? Come join our Thrift and Treats event for a day filled with ukay treasures, tasty food, and good vibes! ✨🛍️🍔

Don’t miss out on the best budget-friendly finds and food trip in one event. Visit us at the DMMME Lobby from May 13–15, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM!

In partnership with:
Eskinita Coffee
Chicken City
Octo Takoyaki

06/05/2026

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… A legend of a sci-fi weapon has captured the imaginations of millions for decades. A glowing blade capable of slicing through almost any material - including human flesh - cauterizing wounds instantly and somehow still remains safe for its wielder to hold. Wielded by iconic characters such as Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, this weapon is none other than the Lightsaber! And now, with the level of technology we have, it is worth asking: could science ever make something like it possible? The answer is both fascinating and humbling.

Let’s explore years of advancement, connecting the world of reality and fiction in this week’s Wisdom Wednesday!

In the Star Wars universe, lightsabers are described as a complex stream of pure plasma contained within a magnetic force field, focused and stabilized by a kyber crystal. This crystal is said to interact with its wielder through “the Force”, influencing the blade’s intensity and heat. With temperatures estimated by fans and expanded-universe analyses to range from 20,000 to 25,000°C, the blade is hot enough to melt through heavy alloys almost instantly while simultaneously cauterizing any material it cuts. Even more remarkably, all that heat is stably confined within the blade itself, while preventing the hilt from becoming dangerously hot for its wielder. The emitted light is bright, but harmless to the eyes so the wielder can swing it freely without protective gear. In short, lightsabers rely on fictional physics that stretch far beyond what modern science can currently produce.

But while we are nowhere near crafting the Jedi weapon, there is a real-world technology that gives us a glimpse of what controlled plasma can do: plasma arc welding.

Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is formed from superheated, ionized gas which commonly consists of compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon/hydrogen mixtures. These gases can be heated to such extreme temperatures that its atoms become ionized, creating a highly energetic mixture of charged particles. Plasma is already used extensively in manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and precision fabrication. In plasma arc welding, an electric arc ionizes gas and creates a concentrated plasma jet capable of reaching temperatures of up to 28,000°C, even hotter than many estimates for a lightsaber blade. This intense heat allows engineers to cut, fuse, and shape metals with extraordinary precision.

Unlike a lightsaber’s neatly contained blade, plasma welding requires constant external systems to function. The plasma arc is sustained only through a carefully controlled electrical circuit, specialized nozzles, shielding gases, and cooling systems. The plasma cannot simply hover as a free-standing beam. Left unconfined, it would rapidly dissipate into the surrounding air. The welding torch itself can become extremely hot, which is why operators wear heavy thermal gloves, face shields, and protective clothing. The intense ultraviolet and visible light produced by the arc can also cause severe eye damage, making protective visors essential.

One of the biggest challenges in creating a real lightsaber is plasma containment. While scientists can confine plasma using magnetic fields in experimental fusion reactors, these systems are enormous and require massive amounts of energy. Current physics offers no practical way to shape plasma into a rigid, handheld blade.

Another challenge is heat management. A plasma blade hot enough to cut metal would require advanced insulation or cooling systems to prevent the handle from overheating. Unlike in Star Wars, where fictional force fields solve this problem, real materials cannot safely contain such extreme heat in a compact device.

As we celebrate the galaxy far, far away, it is worth remembering that “the Force” may be confined to another universe, but plasma is something we are versed in. And for now, the closest thing we have to a lightsaber is not hanging on a Jedi’s belt, but glowing brightly in a welding lab. May the Force—and the fourth state of matter—be with you.

Content by: Lyn Mary Blancaflor
Design by: Alyhana Ashleigh Abrogena

Are you ready to be WEISS-er? Access our references to learn more at tinyurl.com/upmssWW

Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by the UP Materials Science Society. Want more knowledge? Stay tuned next week for another amazing Wisdom Wednesday!

29/04/2026

A single stroke of a pen tells many stories.

For the iSULAT Smart Pen, lines can tell more than just a story. It can reveal one’s potential skills, and even aid medical professionals in diagnosing various conditions crucial for early detection. As April is the celebration of World Autism Month, this invention highlights the significance of developing materials focused on early detection of developmental conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

But, how does the iSULAT Smart Pen achieve this objective?

In the medical field, detecting early symptoms can be challenging, but the iSULAT Smart Pen focuses on one indicator in particular-–handwriting. This works because individuals diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions may display certain handwriting irregularities, such as a slower writing speed and inconsistent grip pressure. Thus, the iSULAT Smart Pen functions by analyzing these patterns to gain a deeper understanding about the user’s condition.

In this case, microcontrollers take the center stage in making this innovation a reality. This miniscule device can achieve significant feats despite its size. They consist of a CPU processor, memory, input/output (I/O) ports, and communication components combined in a single chip. Microcontrollers are mostly made of semiconductors, such as silicon. Silicon undergoes multiple processes, such as melting, cutting into thin slices called wafers, and doping, giving the device its ability to achieve specific programmed functions, such as recording and transmitting of information.

For the smart pen, its ability to measure handwriting parameters such as pressure, speed, and stroke angles, rely on the presence of built-in microcontrollers alongside an integrated software system. After sensing these parameters, the data collected would then be transmitted to an application, which makes it easier for professionals like occupational therapists to assess symptoms, administer support, and recommend intervention procedures for those who need it.

The iSULAT Smart Pen stands for Intelligent Stroke Utilization, Learning, Assessment, and Testing. This inspiring innovation was developed by Filipino researchers from the University of Santo Tomas, and funded by DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development with the aim to develop a material for standardized assessment while addressing the lack of assistive technologies in the country.

Who would have thought that simple everyday objects like pens can be transformed into smart innovations that could aid neurodevelopmental conditions and mental health? While the awareness, acceptance, and diagnosis of developmental disorders have improved since the last decade, accessible tools to increase inclusivity are still needed more than ever to administer early interventions and support for individuals in the neurodivergent spectrum. Indeed, materials science applications and its collaborations with other sectors can utilize these life-changing ideas and advance them to make a more inclusive world for everyone.

Content by: Elrene Rubica
Design by: Marl Ragudo

Are you ready to be WEISS-er? Access our references to learn more at tinyurl.com/upmssWW

Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by the UP Materials Science Society. Want more knowledge? Stay tuned next week for another amazing Wisdom Wednesday!

23/04/2026

𝐇𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐘𝐀 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐋𝐘𝐒𝐒𝐀 𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐎!

Ang mga Inhinyero ng Bayan ay lubos na nakikiramay sa pamilya, mga kaibigan, at sa buong UP Community na nagdadalamhati sa pagpaslang kay USC Councilor Alyssa Alano.

Noong Abril 19, pinaulanan ng bala, bomba, at nagsagawa ng aerial strafing ang 79th Infantry Batallion ng Armed Forces of the Philippines sa Brgy. Salamanca, Toboso, Negros Occidental. Sa militarisasyong ito, mahigit-kumulang 163 pamilya at 653 na mga indibidwal ang napilitang umalis sa kanilang mga tahanan.

Isa si USC Education and Research Councilor Alyssa Alano, isang inosenteng sibilyan, sa 19 na walang-awang pinaslang ng mga militar, gayong nakikipamuhay lamang siya sa mga magsasakang Negrenseng pinapasista ng estado.

Si Alyssa ay naging katuwang ng UP ESC sa paggaod ng mga kampanya sa nagdaang termino nito, at 𝘁𝗮𝗮𝘀-𝗸𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗽𝘂𝗽𝘂𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗴𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝗵𝗶𝗻𝘆𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗸𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘀 𝗻𝗶 𝗔𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗸𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮, 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿, 𝗮𝘁 𝗸𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘆𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻. Ang mga ala-alang iniwan ni Alyssa ay patuloy na magsisilbing punla sa pag-alab ng diwang militante ng mga Iskolar at Inhinyero ng Bayan.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗸𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗣 𝗘𝗦𝗖 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘆𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮 𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗮𝘆𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗼 𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼. Isa itong konkretong manipestasyon na ang prayoridad ng estado ay hindi ang interes ng sambayanan, kun' 'di, ng mga mayayaman at mapansamantala lamang.

Simula pa sa pagkapangulo ni Duterte hanggang ngayong panahon ni Marcos Jr., nagsilbing tila nasa "de facto Martial Law" ang isla ng Negros dahil sa mga represibo at pasistang polisiya gaya ng Memorandum Order no. 32 na tinatatag ang Negros bilang "state of lawless violence".

Ang pagkamkam ng lupa at pagpatay sa mga magsasaka't mamamayan sa Negros ay patuloy na ipinatutupad ng estado sa huwad na ngalan ng pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan.

Si Alyssa ay isa lamang sa malawak na hanay ng mga kabataan at Pilipinong lumalaban sa karahasan, korapsyon, at pananamantala ng estado. Kasama nito sa listahan si Chad Booc mula sa Kolehiyo ng Inhenyeriya na nakipamuhay at nagsilbing g**o ng mga Lumad. Ngunit imbis na tugunan ang tunay na ugat ng kahirapan, ay pasismo, bala, at bomba ang laging tugon ng reaksyunaryong gobyerno, kaakibat ng walang-habas na redtagging.

𝙃𝙄𝙉𝘿𝙄 𝘿𝘼𝙃𝘼𝙎 𝘼𝙉𝙂 𝙎𝘼𝙂𝙊𝙏 𝙎𝘼 𝙆𝘼𝙃𝙄𝙍𝘼𝙋𝘼𝙉.

Kasama ang UP ESC sa mgaa nagluluksa sa pagpaslang kay Alyssa. Ngunit sa kabila nito, ay patuloy na magngangalit ang mga Inhinyero ng Bayan sa paghingi ng hustisya para kay Alyssa at sa lahat ng biktima ng pasismo ng estado. Ipagpapatuloy ang laban ni Alyssa para sa isang lipunang malaya at payapa.

𝙏𝙖𝙖𝙨-𝙠𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙥𝙪𝙥𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙮 𝘼𝙡𝙮𝙨𝙖 𝘼𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙤, 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙧 𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣!
𝙄𝙨𝙠𝙤𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙣𝙜 𝘽𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣, 𝘽𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙞 𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣!
𝙈𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙨𝙖 𝙠𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙮𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙣, 𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙣!

22/04/2026

As the sun beats down on us this tag-init season, we instinctively look for ways to escape the heat - hiding beneath the shade, looking for electric fans or air-conditioning units, and drinking ice-cold water - anything to help us cool down. But what if instead of avoiding sunlight, we engineer materials that work with it to solve pressing problems, such as access to clean water?

Dive into how materials can harness the power of the sun for water purification in this week's Wisdom Wednesday!

Ev***ration seems simple: heat water and it turns into v***r. Traditional systems follow this by heating large volumes of water. This method is inefficient as much of the energy is wasted to heat the entire body of liquid instead of directly driving ev***ration. Imagine boiling a whole pot when you only need steam from the surface. Photothermal water ev***ration solves this problem by focusing heat at the water surface for efficiency. This is made possible by photothermal materials which absorb sunlight and convert it into heat at the air–water interface. This results in faster ev***ration and allows water to be distilled into something clean and drinkable with less wasted energy.

A photothermal material’s performance depends on how well they absorb light then convert it into heat while allowing water flow. Because of this, researchers classify these materials based on their composition and structure. One classification is carbon-based materials which includes graphene, carbon nanotubes, and biochar. These are great at absorbing sunlight across wide ranges of wavelengths making them efficient solar absorbers. Their electrons are both rapidly excited and relaxed, converting the energy into heat via lattice vibrations. Carbon-based materials have porous structures and hydrophilic surfaces which allow water to move easily to heated interfaces for continuous ev***ration. These materials are relatively low-cost and chemically stable, making it suitable for large scale applications.

Another classification are plasmonic metal-based materials, such as gold and silver nanoparticles. These materials rely on a phenomenon called localized surface plasmon resonance or LSPR wherein electrons oscillate in response to light. This oscillation generates intense, localized heating which makes them very efficient. However, these materials are expensive so they are often used in small amounts or combined with other materials to balance cost and performance.

Conjugated polymer-based materials like polyaniline also play a role by converting light into heat through their molecular structures. These polymers contain delocalized π-electron systems which allows them to absorb sunlight across a broad range of wavelengths. When these electrons are excited by light, they relax back to their original state through non-radiative processes and release energy as heat instead of light. When it comes to polymers, their advantage lies in its flexibility, lightweight nature, and ease in integrating into composite systems. Actually, many photothermal systems don’t rely on one type of material and instead use combinations designed to maximize performance. For example, a system may incorporate carbon materials for strong light absorption with polymers for flexibility and porous scaffold for good water transport. These composites allow researchers to fine tune properties such as efficiency, durability, and cost for ev***ration.

Structure is also pivotal to photothermal materials as these are often engineered into three dimensional porous systems, such as foams, aerogels, or hydrogels. These structures allow light to be trapped, provide pathways for water to flow to the surface, and allow v***r to escape efficiently. Some systems are designed to float on water with insulating layers underneath to prevent heat from escaping into the bulk liquid. This happens as heat is generated only at the surface with insulating layers to slow heat loss downward. While capillary action supplies thin layers of water upward to be heated while circulating the contaminants back into the bulk liquid. This makes sure that the energy stays concentrated at the air-water interface.

Photothermal materials extend beyond water purification with its principle of localized solar heating for a range of applications. They may be used in processes such as solar desalination, wastewater treatment, and even salt recovery wherein residual crystals can be harvested as valuable byproducts. Their efficient heat generation enables uses in sterilization, atmospheric water harvesting, and even solar-driven steam production.

Like we have seen with solar panel technologies, understanding how photothermal materials function allows us to see sunlight not just as heat to escape from, but as a resource to harness. So, the next time the sun feels overwhelming just remember; with the right materials even intense heat can be transformed into something that can sustain life.

Content by: Arthur Emanuel Gray and Jan Melchor Aglibot
Design by: Marion Cecille Mesias and Maria Cassundra Romero

Are you ready to be WEISS-er? Access our references to learn more at tinyurl.com/upmssWW

Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by the UP Materials Science Society. Want more knowledge? Stay tuned next week for another amazing Wisdom Wednesday!

22/04/2026

𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐠𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧! 🌻

Mula sa UP Materials Science Society, isang pagpupugay sa inyong pagsisikap at dedikasyon. Sabik kaming masaksihan ang pagsisimula ng panibagong yugto ng inyong tagumpay. Bitbit ang talino at malasakit, patuloy na maglingkod nang may dangal at husay.

Utak at puso para sa bayan. Padayon! ❤️

15/04/2026

What does it take for humanity to return from the Moon—alive—while wrapped in a fireball hotter than molten lava?

In April 2026, Artemis II, the first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since 1972, carried astronauts on a historic journey around the moon—only to face its most dangerous phase on the way home: atmospheric re-entry. After nearly ten days in deep space the Orion spacecraft plunged back toward Earth at speeds approaching 25,000 mph (≈40,000 km/h). In minutes, it encountered temperatures of up to ~5,000°F (~2,760°C)—conditions intense enough to melt most metals. And yet, on April 10, 2026, Orion splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, marking a textbook return and a major milestone in modern space exploration.

Witness the fiery science behind the safe return of Artemis II astronaut crew in this week’s Wisdom Wednesday!

Atmospheric re-entry is a violent thermodynamic event in which at hypersonic speeds, the spacecraft compresses air in front of it, generating extreme heat through aerodynamic heating and shockwave formation. The result is a plasma sheath that engulfs the capsule, cutting off communications and creating what astronauts often describe as riding a fireball.

How did Orion survive these dangerous conditions?

The Artemis II Orion capsule uses a heat shield material known as AVCOAT, similar to what was used during the preceding Artemis I spacecraft and the Apollo program more than 50 years ago. Rather than resisting heat indefinitely, AVCOAT is designed to decompose in a controlled and predictable manner. It consists of silica fibers embedded in an epoxy novolac resin, creating an ablative material. As temperature rises, the outer silica layer chars and forms a highly insulating quartz layer, while the resin pyrolyzes to produce gas. This process creates a protective barrier that blows away the hot plasma and carries heat away from the surface, ensuring that the underlying structure remains comparatively cool in spite of scorching external temperatures.

Equally important is how AVCOAT is structured. In its original Apollo-era form, the material was applied within a fiberglass honeycomb matrix, with 300,000 individual cells filled manually—creating a highly controlled geometry for ablation. This approach ensured uniform material distribution but required months to complete a single heat shield. For Orion, the manufacturing process changed significantly. Instead of injecting material into a monolithic honeycomb, engineers now produce AVCOAT in machined blocks or tiles, which are then bonded onto a composite-backed heat shield. This, however, introduced a new variable—how gases generated during ablation move through the material—which became critical after Artemis I.

When the uncrewed Artemis I capsule returned to Earth in 2022, post-flight inspection revealed unexpected cracking and localized loss of charred material across the heat shield. The root cause was traced to internal pressure build-up within the AVCOAT. Gases generated inside could not escape efficiently, causing some regions to experience spalling—chunks of material breaking away prematurely.

From a materials perspective, AVCOAT must be dense enough to maintain structural integrity under aerodynamic shear, yet permeable enough to allow decomposition gases to vent. Too little permeability leads to rising internal pressures and fracturing, while too much compromises the mechanical stability of the char layer. Artemis I revealed that this balance, while effective in principle, was not fully optimized in practice.

For Artemis II, rather than redesigning the entire material system, introducing significant delays, engineers addressed the problem through operational adjustments. The re-entry trajectory was modified to reduce thermal loading. Instead of using a skip-entry trajectory like in Artemis I, engineers opted for a steeper, direct re-entry. This reduces thermal exposure and inhibits excessive gas buildup, minimizing the risk of degradation observed in earlier missions.

Looking ahead to Artemis III, further refinements are expected. While AVCOAT remains the baseline material, its formulation and processing continue to evolve, particularly in response to improved understanding of high-temperature material behavior. Even decades after its original development for Apollo, AVCOAT is still being re-engineered—less as a finished solution, and more as a material system under continuous iteration.

Artemis II shows that returning from deep space is less about resisting extreme conditions and more about managing them. The Orion spacecraft does not “withstand” re-entry in the usual sense. It relies on materials that are expected to change, degrade, and respond in predictable ways under stress.

In that sense, Artemis II is not just a successful return, but a continuation of materials development. The heat shield did its job, but it also provided data on how it burned, how it fractured, and how it can be improved.

Content by: Jasmine M. Fria
Design by: Antonio Pacia and Paola Paragas

Are you ready to be WEISS-er? Access our references to learn more at tinyurl.com/upmssWW

Wisdom Wednesday is brought to you by the UP Materials Science Society. Want more knowledge? Stay tuned next week for another amazing Wisdom Wednesday!

08/04/2026

With summer fast approaching, everyone is trying their best to find ways to stay cool; from enjoying chilly mountain winds, to dipping into beach waters, to hanging out in an air conditioned cafe, or even staying in front of an electric fan at home. But staying cool isn’t just a problem for people; it’s also a challenge for computers. These machines tend to heat up as they consume electricity during processing, with heat being produced as a byproduct. This is why computers continue to evolve alongside advancements in cooling technologies. Recently, new breakthroughs have emerged to address these challenges, such as the use of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) for cooling.

Learn more about how these materials beat the heat in this week’s Wisdom Wednesday!

Traditional cooling approaches often rely on slowing heat transfer, such as through insulation. However, electronics produce heat when converting electricity into processing power and when insulators are used, there is a risk of heat buildup and eventual overheating. Instead of simply slowing heat transfer, the goal shifts to stabilizing temperatures. This leads to leveraging the ability of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) to absorb and release heat from their surroundings, transferring it to a dedicated heat sink where it can safely dissipate. Through a property known as latent heat.

During a phase transition, temperature remains relatively constant as heat is used to break or reform intermolecular bonds. Latent heat refers to the energy required for this phase change, and a higher latent heat means more energy can be stored before the material fully transitions. Phase Change Materials leverage this high latent heat to absorb energy from their environment. When used as thermal paste/pads for a CPU, these materials provide an easier pathway for heat to flow out of the system because as PCMs heat up and soften, they fill in microscopic gaps, decreasing thermal resistance. The material of this thermal pad is typically a type of paraffin wax mixed in an adhesive, fine-tuned for a specific operating temperature to optimize performance. Generally, the most common materials used as PCMs are paraffin wax, salt hydrates, fatty acids, and engineered eutectic mixtures.

These ‘cool’ PCMs are also good when integrated in construction, apparel and storage. In these fields, PCMs are integrated into their respective materials, such as drywalls and fabrics. These materials are usually integrated into different materials by encapsulation. This process traps PCMs within a matrix, ensuring that when they melt, they remain structurally stable while still maintaining their primary function. But PCMs don’t just work in thermal paste. What is good about these examples is that not only are they good at keeping their surroundings cool, they also do well to keep things warm. After they have absorbed excess heat, as they cool down, they relax and release heat into their environment, stabilizing the temperature in the other direction. This explanation is similar to how pools feel cool in the morning but warmer at night.

As we can see, these “smart materials” are incredibly flexible and can adapt to environments at different temperatures while still maintaining as the cornerstone for modern infrastructures from computer cooling systems to cold chain storage and building cooling.

Content by: Jason Angelo Zafra
Design by: Soleil Aguilar

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