Is condensed physics the same as materials engineering?

[Elbobo]

Or does it depend on which area of condensed physics one is specializing in?

 

[Mapes]

There is overlap, to be sure. We have occasionally had a condensed physics post-doc in my materials science and engineering group. But the classic science/engineering distinction applies: In condensed physics one is usually interested in the origins of material properties; in materials engineering, one is usually trying to exploit these properties to make useful tools.