Materials development for a sustainable society

The large consumption of materials and energy causes rapid deterioration of the environment on a global scale. The increase of aging plants, facilities and machines threatens our safety. Environment and safety are key issues which have to be considered for a sustainable society, when we think what the technology and systems of the 21st Century should be like. The guiding principles for materials development towards a sustainable society are discussed from the viewpoint of environment and safety. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.