The study of how the properties of matter arise from its structure at all scales and of how processing can be used to modify those properties (often in pursuit of a specific application).
1
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0answers
47 views
Where can I find a complete list of metamaterials up to today?
Where might I find a list of all the metamaterials up-to-date?
2
votes
2answers
128 views
Computational Science involve programming? [closed]
I read what is computational science in Wikipedia but the explanation and understanding are not very clear.
So, I could you please give a simple example computational science project and what all ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Getting a given wavelength radio signal given an antenna with real-world constraints
Supposing you are given a transmitting antenna of whatever type of metal is most commonly used these days, and supposing that you are applying an AC current with the intent of transmitting a 1 m ...
3
votes
1answer
189 views
Why do non-stick frying pans work?
Modern non-stick frying pans use a mixture of titanium and ceramic that is sandblasted onto the pan surface, and then fired to 2,000 °C (according to Wikipedia).
Can anyone explain (at the molecular ...
1
vote
2answers
153 views
Where does Computer Science background students fit in Theoretical Physics [closed]
I am basically an Electronics student - background in computer science (that's where I want to work). I applied for an internship in USA in a research institute where the group is focused in ...
4
votes
1answer
77 views
limits of diamond anvils for high pressure research
in this wikipedia article regarding diamond anvils, it mentions that the pressure peaks roughly at 300 GPa.
My question is why is this so? is the diamond crystal structure collapsing if higher ...
2
votes
1answer
112 views
What is nonlocal resistance?
We are first taught to calculate local resistance, where current and voltage are on the same part of the material.
But many experiments measure nonlocal resistance, where current and voltage are ...
1
vote
0answers
31 views
AWG chart for Tungsten
This is the American Wire Gauge (AWG) chart page for Copper that I found from Google:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge
Is there a similar table for Tungsten/Wolfram available?
Has ...
2
votes
1answer
170 views
A differential equation of Buckling Rod
I tried to solve a differential equation, but unfortunately got stuck at some point.
The problem is to solve the diff. eq. of hard clamped on both ends rod.
And the force compresses the rod at both ...
0
votes
0answers
77 views
Which viscoelastic material that transparent for Infrared light?
I have to work with viscoelastic materials, since I tried to use a silicone polymer (silly putty) which expect to IR transparent properties, however, IR camera shown the black color (means their ...
4
votes
2answers
149 views
What properties would the ideal material for spacecraft construction possess?
Assuming we develop the capability to send a robot to study Gliese 518, or any of the Earth-like planets discovered in the neighbourhood; the spacecraft would need to travel through the Solar System ...
6
votes
1answer
902 views
Why are some materials diamagnetic, others paramagnetic, and others ferromagnetic?
Why are some materials diamagnetic, others paramagnetic, and others ferromagnetic?
Or, put another way, which of their atomic properties determines which of the three forms of magnetism (if at all) ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
Terminology Fractional Physics [closed]
I recently read an article about the use of physics in computer graphics. Moreover, the method of "fractional Physics" used to provide the awesome three dimensional effects we've come to enjoy. My ...
0
votes
3answers
318 views
Liquid crystal shutter with >90% transmission?
Today's liquid crystal shutter glasses, when in the "transparent" state, exhibit only 40% light transmission.
They work using two polarizer layers, one which is liquid crystal and goes {vertical ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views
Simulation of broken object
I was thinking and the following question came out:
how an object that is falling is simulated once it hits the ground?
Specifically, I would like to understand how one would be able to simulate the ...
2
votes
1answer
186 views
Why magnetic monopole found in spin ice don't modify the Maxwell's Equations?
Magnetic monopole predicted by Dirac nearly a century ago was found in spin ice as quasi-particle(2). My question is Why magnetic monopole found in spin ice don't modify the Maxwell's Equations? (I ...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
Friction between atoms in spring
if i doing experiment on spring-mass system in vaccum,if i pull the to some extent (within elastic limit of spring) & let it go,will the system oscillate indefinitely? (neglect contact frictions ...
0
votes
1answer
60 views
What are the Electric and Magnetic Properties of Aluminum Oxynitride?
Is Transparent Aluminum (Aluminum Oxynitride) a good conductor of electricity? Also, is it attracted by a magnet?
0
votes
1answer
194 views
Are silicone polymers transparent to infrared light?
I know that silicon and even black plastic bags are transparent to infrared light. What about light-colored silicone polymers (take white or green colors)? Are they transparent to infrared light too? ...
1
vote
0answers
44 views
Is it right to cut a slot on some material before bending?
I made a suggestion to my boss to cut a thin, shallow slot on a metal sheet on the side we wanna make 90°, so that the machine could bend it. However, the outcome was "The metal broke".
My boss was ...
2
votes
2answers
198 views
Is there a simple approximation to calculate the index of refraction of water?
A very rough approximation from first principles, from the elementary charge and hbar, would suffice. But is there such an approximation at all?
(Alternatively, if water is too difficult: is there ...
3
votes
1answer
526 views
Why can glass absorb ultraviolet light?
Please see the following photos. (I cannot post them...)
http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q554/startanewww/CIMG4545.jpg
http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/q554/startanewww/CIMG4546.jpg
From the ...
3
votes
2answers
228 views
Consequences of destroying a space elevator
Suppose there is a fully functional space elevator built on Earth. The base is attached to coordinates
$
(\lambda, \varphi) = (0,0)
$
e.g., on the equator on the zero-meridian.
What would happen ...
2
votes
2answers
541 views
Space Elevator on Mars with Today's Technology Possible?
I know it's not possible with Earth today, but With today's level of material science technology, would it be possible to make cable strong and light enough to make a space elevator system connecting ...
2
votes
3answers
118 views
Electrial Conductivity of Thin Metal Films
What is the best way to find specific/electric conductivity which is dependent of very thin film thickness?
2
votes
1answer
117 views
light absorbing diodes characteristics
Recently, there was a publication regarding some new materials that would let thru light in one direction and either absorb it or reflect it in the other direction; the publication does not clarify on ...
0
votes
2answers
274 views
Is there a physical reason steel balls are not suitable to play billiards with?
Steel is an elastic matter and is often used when demonstrating elastic collisions. We also make springs from it.
Due to these properties and for its relative low price, it seems obvious to me to ...
1
vote
1answer
443 views
Best Materials Science Introduction Book?
Why is this here?
Sorry, I know that this isn't the best place to put this however there does not seem to be any other stack exchange specific to this so I thought this would be the best place ...
3
votes
2answers
249 views
How is the stickiness of a fluid measured?
How does one compare the "stickiness" of different substances on a certain surface?
For example:
Does glue A stick better to steel than glue B?
Does water stick better to steel than oil?
19
votes
3answers
548 views
Why wet is dark?
When something gets wet, it usually appears darker. This can be observed with soil, sand, cloth, paper, concrete, bricks ...
What is the reason for this? How does water soaking into the material ...
9
votes
1answer
772 views
Why does paper become transparent when smeared with oil but not (so much) with water?
When I smear oil onto a scrap of paper and rub it in, the paper becomes quite transparent; but when I attempt the same with water it doesn't as much. Why?
7
votes
2answers
213 views
Why is paper more frangible when it is wet?
My four-year-old daughter asked me why paper tends to fall apart when wet, and I wasn't sure. I speculated that the water lubricates the paper fibers so that they can untangle and separate more ...
1
vote
1answer
606 views
Does infrared rays pass through polarized glass?
Actually I had asked in another post that "Does infrared rays pass through active shutter glass" but someone just commented that infrared rays dont pass through polarized glass. If infrared rays ...
0
votes
0answers
42 views
Communicating with a long rod / rope [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it possible for information to be transmitted faster than light?
If I move a long solid stick can I send message fastest than light?
When we communicate via radio ...
0
votes
1answer
86 views
What is a good reference for the mechanical properties of materials at cryogenic temperatures?
I want to research various the properties of various materials, namely tensile strength at cryogenic temperatures (~20K). I was wondering if a freely available database of material properties exists.
0
votes
2answers
157 views
Behavior of shock waves at relativistic speeds
Suppose I am in a spaceship traveling inertially at a velocity $v$ that is of the same order as $c$. As I pass by a metal bar that is oriented parallel to $v$, someone hits it with another metal bar, ...
1
vote
1answer
113 views
what gives the vermiculite it's insultative properties
i know that vermiculite is used in insulation applications.
i found this notion of the R-value of vermiculite, that i don't know if its true.
basically i want to know if the attribute of the ...
-1
votes
1answer
41 views
Working with carbon as a material [closed]
I'm interested in building a robot with a carbon shell, and was wondering where I could find some ressources about how to work with carbon. For example, where to find it, how to shape it, and how to ...
0
votes
2answers
181 views
What is the difference between Sapphire and BK7?
What is the difference between Sapphire and BK7 in optics (lenses), is it only about quality?
1
vote
1answer
89 views
Stretching a piece of foil with a hole
I have a 20x20cm piece of foil with a circular hole of diameter 1cm in the centre.
If I slowly stretch the foil both horizontally and vertically, what happens to the size of the hole?
Does the size ...
0
votes
1answer
228 views
Does Polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) have low wind resistance?
It is reasonable to assume that covering for example an airplane with Teflon would lead to it having lower wind resistance? The reason why I ask is that Teflon "has one of the lowest coefficients of ...
2
votes
1answer
549 views
Which ferromagnetic material has the lowest Curie temperature?
It is hard to search for materials by their properties in general and I am trying to find a material with a very low Curie temperature. At the moment I am browsing different sites but can only find a ...
4
votes
1answer
914 views
How to know what materials are good conductors of electricity?
I'm not asking a question like "Is the wood conductive?". No. I'm asking what properties do they have to have to be good conductors. Theoretically I mean. Thanks.
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Wyckoff positions and lattice coordinations
Many papers use Wyckoff positions and Space Groups to report atom coordinates, making use of the structure's symmetries to save space in the notation (e.g. diamond = Fd-3m, only).
How can I ...
0
votes
1answer
141 views
Why does the d-spacing of a polymer decrease as its crystallinity increases?
I am currently investigating the annealing of a polymer (Parylene-C). In my reading I have found that when the polymer is annealed, there is a decrease in thickness of the film which results from a ...
5
votes
2answers
264 views
How does infrared light 'erase' phosphorescence on zinc sulfide?
I found some sheets of zinc sulfide in my basement that phosphoresce green for up to 24 hours or so after exposure to bright light in the violet range or shorter. One of the first things I tried was ...
2
votes
2answers
948 views
Will the hole on a metal disc expand or contract upon heating? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Will a hole cut into a metal disk expand or shrink when the disc is heated?
The metal disc of diameter D1 has a hole in it and the diameter of the hole is D2 (D2
Now, ...
4
votes
1answer
526 views
Physical meaning of elastic constants of a monoclinic crystal
For the elasticity of a material, Hook's law can be written in tensorial form as:
$$\sigma = \mathsf{C}\, \varepsilon$$
where $\sigma$ is the Cauchy stress tensor, $\varepsilon$ is the infinitesimal ...
2
votes
2answers
90 views
What are the specific electronic properties that make an atom ferromagnetic versus simply paramagnetic?
As I understand it, paramagnetism is similar in its short-term effect to ferromagnetism (spins of the electrons line up with the magnetic field, etc.), though apparently the effect is weaker. What is ...
1
vote
1answer
383 views
Properties to select suitable materials for making permanent magnets
I have read that soft iron is suitable for making a permanent magnet. Because it is required for permanent magnet to have high coercivity and high retentivity.
Same text also said earlier that soft ...
