Best Materials Science Books of 2026

This book, Electrolytes, Interfaces and Interphases: Fundamentals and Applications in Batteries, is a comprehensive textbook covering the essential principles of electrolytes and interphases in electrochemistry, with a special focus on their applications in lithium-ion batteries. The author, Kang Xu, has over 30 years of experience in the field and offers a thorough analysis of the most recent research findings. The book is suitable for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as researchers new to the subject. Overall, this authoritative textbook is an excellent resource for those interested in the fast-growing electrochemical energy storage markets and the role of electrolytes in batteries.

Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik is a fascinating exploration of the materials that surround us in our daily lives. From the steel in our razors to the foam in our sneakers, Miodownik uncovers the science and history behind the objects we often take for granted. His infectious enthusiasm for the subject makes for an engaging read, and readers will come away with a newfound appreciation for the ordinary materials that shape our world. This New York Times Notable Book and winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books is a must-read for anyone interested in the science behind the everyday.

The Complete Guide to Mid-Range Glazes is an essential studio guide for potters who glaze their pieces at mid-range temperatures. With hundreds of recipes, the book explores mixing, application, specific firing and cooling cycles, and all the factors that make glazes work. The author, John Britt, is a renowned glaze expert and a frequent contributor to leading ceramics publications. He explains complex concepts in simple terms, making this book accessible for potters of all levels. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for every potter's bookshelf, packed with information that will expand the frontiers of mid-range glazing.

The book "Wild Clay: Creating ceramics and glazes from natural and found resources" is a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in using wild clay for their pottery. The authors draw on their experience from the US and Japan to provide tips on how to locate, collect, assess, and process local clays. The book also explains how to adapt a clay's properties by blending appropriate materials to achieve the desired effect. The beautiful illustrations and technical descriptions make it easy to understand the formation of various clays and their unique properties. This book is an ideal starting point for both novice and experienced potters who want to create a closer bond between their art and their surroundings.

Ethical Engineering: A Practical Guide with Case Studies is a comprehensive book that provides guidance and practical solutions to the ethical issues that practicing engineers often face in their professional lives. The book outlines a decision-making procedure and helps engineers develop an ethics toolkit that identifies options and solutions. It covers a wide range of topics such as safety, sustainability, bioethics, diversity, equality, information technology, and AI, among others. The book is unique in its approach and offers an international perspective with codes of ethics from around the world. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for engineers seeking to navigate real-world ethical issues.

Welding For Dummies is a comprehensive guide that provides practical advice and techniques for safe and effective welding. This book covers every popular kind of welding, including stick, tig, mig, fluxcore, and even oxyfuel cutting. It also includes tips on the ideal welding techniques to choose for specific projects, and how to use brand-new welding technologies, including laser techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced welder, this book is an irreplaceable reference that helps make a challenging trade accessible to everyone.

The Rare Metals War by Guillaume Pitron is an eye-opening account of the environmental, economic, and geopolitical costs of our dependence on rare metals, which are essential to renewable energy and digital technologies. The book reveals the dark side of our technological odyssey and exposes the dirty underpinnings of clean technologies. Pitron's six years of research across a dozen countries provide a gripping, detailed, and discouraging explanation of the consequences of our societal choices and lifestyles. Overall, this book is a well-rendered explanation of further bad news on the clean energy front and a must-read for those concerned about the future of our planet.

Engineering Mechanics: Statics & Dynamics is a comprehensive and well-organized textbook that offers a clear presentation of the theory and application of engineering mechanics. The book includes a large variety of problems from a broad range of engineering disciplines, stressing practical, realistic situations encountered in professional practice, and having varying levels of difficulty. The inclusion of new Preliminary Problems intended to help students develop conceptual understanding and build problem-solving skills is a significant addition to the Fourteenth Edition. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for students and instructors looking to deepen their understanding of engineering mechanics.

Mechanics of Materials is a comprehensive guide that presents the theory and application of essential mechanics of materials principles. The 10th edition offers updated information, added problem-solving, and increased flexibility in topic coverage. The author, R.C. Hibbeler, has a wealth of experience in the field and has taught both civil and mechanical engineering courses at various universities. The book's concise writing style, numerous examples, and stunning art program make it easy to visualize and master difficult concepts. Overall, Mechanics of Materials is an excellent resource for anyone interested in strength of materials engineering.

How to Ace Statics with Jeff Hanson is a student workbook that helps learners breeze through the challenging course. The book expands on Jeff Hanson’s engineering instructional course videos on YouTube, providing extra examples, practice problems, and pro tips. It covers core concepts such as vector mechanics, particle equilibrium, statics on a rigid body, global equilibrium reactions, centroid, trusses, frames, and machines, internal forces in beams, friction, and moment of inertia. The book’s to-the-point explanations, illustrations, and easy-to-read bulleted lists make it a valuable resource for students struggling with statics.