The stone age, The Iron Age. Entire epochs havebeen named for materials. So what to call thedecades ahead? The choice will be tough. Welcometo the age of superstuff. Material science -- once theleast sexy technology – is bursting with new, practical discoveries led by superconducting ceramicsthat may revolutionize electronics. Butsuperconductors are just part of the picture: from house and cars to cook pots and artificialteeth, the world will someday be made of different stuff. Exotic plastics, glass and ceramics willshape the future just as surely as have genetic engineering and computer science.
The key to the new materials is researchers’ increasing ability to manipulate substances atthe molecular level. Ceramics, for example, have long been limited by their brittleness. Butby minimizing the microscopic imperfections that cause it, scientists are making far strongerceramics that still retain such qualities as hardness and heat resistance. Ford Motor Co. nowuses ceramic tools to cut steel. A firm called Kyocera has created a line of ceramic scissorsand knives that stay sharp for years and never rust or corrode.
A similar transformation has overtaken plastics. High-strength polymers now formbridges, ice-skating rinks and helicopter rotors. And one new plastic that generates electricitywhen vibrated or pushed is used in electric guitars, touch sensors for robot hands and karatejackets that automatically record each punch and chop. Even plastic litter, which oncethreatened to permanently blot the landscape, has proved amenable to molecular tinkering. Several manufacturers now make biodegradable forms; some plastic six-pack rings forexample, gradually decompose when exposed to sunlight. Researchers are developing ways tomake plastics as recyclable as metal or glass. Besides, composites – plastic reinforced withfibers of graphite or other compounds – made the round-the-world flight of the voyagerpossible and have even been proved in combat: a helmet saved an infantryman’s life bydeflecting two bullets in the Grenada invasion.
Some advanced materials are old standard with a new twist. The newest fiberoptic cablethat carry telephone calls cross-country are made of glass so transparent that a piece of 100 miles thick is clearer than a standard window pane.
But new materials have no impact until they are made into products. And that transitioncould prove difficult, for switching requires lengthy research and investment. It can be said afirmer handle on how to move to commercialization will determine the success or failure of acountry in the near future.
1. How many new materials are mentioned in this passage?
[A] Two
[B] Three
[C] Four
[D] Five
2. Why does the author mention genetic engineering and computer science?
[A] To compare them with the new materials.
[B] To show the significance of the new materials on the future world.
[C] To compare the new materials to them.
[D] To explain his view point.
3. Why is transition difficult?
[A] Because transition requires money and time.
[B] Because many manufacturers are unwilling to change their equipment.
[C] Because research on new materials is very difficult.
[D]Because it takes 10 years.
4. Where lies success of a country in the New Age of superstuff?
[A] It lies in research.
[B] It lies in investment.
[C] It lies in innovation.
[D] It lies in application.
Vocabulary
1. superstuff 超级材料
2. superconducting ceramic 超导陶瓷
3. exotic 神奇的
4. shape 塑造，成型
5. brittleness 脆性
6. polymer 聚合体
7. karate jacket 空手道外衣
8. touch sensor 触及传感器
9. each punch and chop 每一个击、打
10. blot 玷污，损害风景的东西
11. tinker 修补，调整
12. amendable 服从于，遵循的
13. biodegradable 能生物递减分解的
14. six-pack rings 放六个罐子的环状物
15. decompose 分解
16. recyclable 可循环(使用的)
17. infantryman 步兵
18. deflect 使偏斜，使转向
19. a new twist 一个新的观点，方法
答案见下一页》》
