About EquaLab Materials
Project Overview
EquaLab Materials is a comprehensive tool for scientists, engineers, and researchers to access, compare, and contribute information about various materials and their properties. This application allows users to:
- Browse materials by type (polymer, metal, ceramic, etc.)
- Search for specific materials by name or designation
- Compare up to three materials side-by-side
- View detailed material properties including mechanical, electrical, and thermal characteristics
- Contribute new materials to the database
Project Origin
This database was created based on an idea by Thomas Bell, an aspiring materials scientist. Thomas envisioned a comprehensive, accessible platform where researchers and students could easily access and compare material properties for both reference and research purposes.
Using the Database
Browsing Materials
Materials are organized by type and can be filtered and sorted. Click on any material card to expand it and view all properties. Each material is displayed with its name, type, and key characteristics.
Searching
Use the search bar to find materials by name, short code, or type. The search uses intelligent matching to help you find materials even with partial terms.
Comparing Materials
Navigate to the "Compare" page to select up to three materials for side-by-side comparison. This makes it easy to identify the best material for your specific requirements.
Contributing
To add new materials to the database, use the "Add Material" page to enter properties and generate the necessary code for contribution. This crowd-sourced approach allows the database to grow with accurate information.
Technical Information
The Materials Database is built with modern web technologies:
- Next.js 15 with TypeScript for the application framework
- Tailwind CSS for styling and responsive design
- JSON for efficient data storage and retrieval
- Fuzzy search capabilities for intelligent material discovery
The database is designed to be fast, accessible, and easy to use across all devices.