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13 Best Gifts for Materials Scientists & Engineers (in 2024)

Last updated: November 29th, 2024

You're probably thinking "What the heck is Materials Science and Engineering?" I spent 9 years getting my degrees in MSE so I have a pretty good idea what my classmates and I loved to nerd out about. They tend to want things that are practical yet unique and a little nerdy...So I wanted to assemble what I think are the best gift ideas for a materials scientist or materials engineer (roughly the same thing). This collection will show them that you understand their love of materials and support them in their passions.

This list is a compilation of my favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for scientists on the planet!

1. The Pocket Scientist - Wallet Multitool and Physics/Chemistry Reference

Materials scientists and engineers live and die by the periodic table. It's the most essential thing for them to learn in the first year. That's why it's front and center on The Pocket Scientist - a 3" pocket tool that doubles as a handy reference of chemistry, physics and engineering equations that materials majors will use constantly.

This makes a great stocking stuffer or last minute add-on at around $13, and is something an MSE major would use almost daily in their lab and homework. I keep mine in my wallet at all times!

You can get it here on Amazon. It's also available directly from our website here.

GLG - Pocket Scientist scientific ruler and reference

2. rOtring Mechanical Pencil and Stylus

Like I mentioned above, materials science involves a lot of note-taking, sketching of unit cell structures, and labeling of things in the lab. Some of the equipment we use also involves touch screens. That's why I personally usethis high-end rOtring mechanical pencil with a stylus end. It gives me super precise sketches but I can quickly flip it over and use the stylus on a tablet or touch screen equipment. Because it's made of metal and refillable, this is one gift that a materials engineer can use for decades.

rOtring Mechanical Pencil and Stylus

Check the price on Amazon.

3. Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe

At its heart, materials science is all about the elements of the Periodic Table and how they behave in both pure forms and different mixtures. From one of my favorite science communicators Theodore Gray, Elements kicks off a 3-book series about the building blocks of our universe and the mechanisms that form everything.

The first book sets out to show elements in their most natural and pure form, and to make them feel more tangible than the concept of an atom. I love the amazing photography and the creativity involved in photographing elements which can sometimes be rare or elusive. It's a fun coffee table read for any MSE major or professional materials scientist.

Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
Check the price on Amazon.

4. New 100% Cotton Lab Coats designed for Scientists

Most materials scientists I know wear lab coats daily. And most of them hate their lab coats. That's why we spent 3 years designing and modifying a lab coat that scientists love! Released in 2024, the Louis and Curie lab coats are consistently reviewed as "the best lab coat I've ever had".
Materials scientists tend to love the tapered knit cuffs which are especially important for protecting wrists from chemicals and keeping clunky oversized cuffs from knocking over expensive glassware. We also made sure to use 100% cotton, which is both breathable and preferred in environments around heat or flames (like metallurgy and ceramics processing equipment). The two versions are tailored to fit male and female builds differently, with a wide size range and adjustable belt so scientists can finally feel great in their lab coat at work.
This is one to clue them in about beforehand so you can get the sizing right and make sure it meets their lab safety requirements! Or, you can grab a refundable $75 gift card to let them grab their own lab coat plus a pocket protector.
Louis and Curie lab coats by Genius Lab Gear

5. Pocket Protector for Lab Coats

The main job of a materials scientist/engineer involves mixing chemicals, powders, or maintaining equipment that helps synthesize new materials. This involves lots of small, specific utensils and heavy labeling and note-taking.

In my materials lab, having a pocket protector was essential for keeping my markers, pens, favorite tweezers, spatulas, and top 2 or 3 hex wrenches at hand for whatever work came next. That's why I took my previous experience to designa new and improved pocket protector that perfectly fits our new lab coats and can hold 10-15 utensils at a time!

Pocket Protector for Lab Coats
Check price on Amazon.

6. Ion: A Compound Building Game

From the same makers of the original "Covalence" board game, this 2nd edition of Ion has some gameplay improvements! We've had a ton of fun nerding out on this game in the office. It's a card-based deck-building game for 2-7 players and in our experience you should give it about 30 minutes per game.

Basically, you collect cards that match up and build compounds that are compatible based on their charges - similar to how a materials scientist would synthesize inorganic materials from basic raw materials. I recommend it as a perfect for a lunch break grad student office or as a fun way for materials engineers to get their kids interested in their same passions.

Ion: A Compound Building Game
Check the price on Amazon.

7. Desktop Periodic Table with Real Elements (color-changing)

The Periodic Table is the most revered part of materials science, ceramics engineering, and metallurgy fundamentals, and MSE students nearly worship its simplicity and usefulness. This desktop Periodic Table includes 83 real nuggets and vials of elements inside! I love this newer version because it includes color changing LEDs to give a cool science-y glow for those late night work sessions.

Desktop Periodic Table with Real Elements (color-changing)
Check the price on Amazon.

8. Real meteorite pendant necklace

This one is very cool. As a materials scientist, my favorite thing about astrophysics is the grain structure that develops in meteors as they slowly cool over millions of years in space. Astrophysicists often study these patterns to figure out how old certain rocks are, and where the came from.

This jewelry brand RTZN has a line of real meteorite pendant necklaces that are sharp but add a subtle nerdy touch that any astrophysicist would love to tell their friends about.

Real meteorite pendant necklace
Check the price on Amazon.

9. Elemental Dice Set - made with real elements!

If you know a materials science and engineering or metallurgical engineering major who also plays board games, this is a premium, unique gift they will geek out over. These elemental dice sets are each either made with or contain the element of the Periodic Table shown on it!

I personally prefer the all-metal ones over the clear ones because the dice values are easier to see, but you can also collect them all!

There are 5 sets available on Amazon but 6 on their website, with different availability. It's worth checking their website first to buy directly if you can!

Set F (Mercury, Sulfur, Manganese, Samarium) 4 Piece Dice Set

 

10. Damascus Steel All-Purpose Chef's Knife (Visible Metallic Grain Patterns)

Most materials engineering majors or metallurgical engineers learn about Damascus Steel early on in their classes. It's an ancient metalworking technique that involves folding red-hot steel over itself like pastry dough - dozens of times.

The rich grain pattern on this chef's knife you see in the photo is visible evidence of the metallurgical concepts of grain refinement and work hardening - which makes for an incredibly sharp and hard knife. They will geek out over the grain pattern on this and it's a great starter all-purpose knife for someone who wants to start cooking at home a little more.Damascus Steel All-Purpose Chef's Knife (Visible Metallic Grain Patterns)

Check the price on Amazon.

11. Set of 4 Agate Crystal Coasters

Although materials science lovers aren't geologists, we still geek out over the beauty of natural crystals. One of my old MSE professors even has a rare minerals collection worth tens of thousands of dollars! So usually, any gift that celebrates the natural symmetry and shape of crystals can be a fantastic gift.

This set of 4 agate crystal coasters is a classy but low-key way to add a touch of nerdiness to decorating a materials science major's apartment or as a housewarming gift.

Set of 4 Agate Crystal Coasters

Check the price on Amazon.

12. Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World

Materials are all around us but most people don't give them a second thought until they break. In Stuff Matters, a popular BBC presenter and Materials Science Professor breaks down the fun facts that will blow your mind about the materials around us.

A budding young materials engineering major would love this book since it reinforces their decision to choose this field and will inspire them to keep going. It also gives a more advanced professional lots of concrete examples they can use to win over their friends and family that what they do is actually important. ;)

Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World

Check the price on Amazon.

13. Subscription to AI-powered Research and Writing Software (SciSpace)

Materials scientists and enigineers who publish academic papers (especially grad students and professors) have to keep track of a HUGE amount of information to complete their research and write new papers. Luckily, AI is now ready to help! SciSpace is a new software tool that combines AI search engines with reference/bibliography management to quickly get answers to highly technical questions - all sourced from peer-reviewed journals.

The Copilot feature is my favorite! It can scan those clunky PDF files to make summaries and even pull tables out into an editable format! That would have saved me hundreds of hours in grad school...The other neat thing is that it lets you take notes on every journal article, link it to that file, and search your notes later with the AI engine.

The best move here is to gift them a 1-year subscription! Just create an account here with your email, and then print out the login details to put into a gift box for the big day! They can move the account to their email address right after.

SciSpace Subscription

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is a good gift for a materials scientist and engineers?

Anything that's practical, functional or can help them show their love for the materials science and engineering. Here are our favorites:

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