Bonding Discovery

4 facts:

- this new technique by researchers at North Carolina State University gives scientists new insight into the way silicon bonds with other materials at the atomic level and could lead to improved understanding of and control over bond formation at the atomic level, and opportunities for the creation of new devices and more efficient microchips.
- Bonds are the chemical interaction between adjacent atoms and are what give materials their distinctive characteristics.
- strain makes a difference in how bonds form, but up to now there hasn't been much understanding of how this works on the atomic level.
- Application of even small amount of strain in one direction increases the chemical reactivity of bonds in certain direction, which in turn causes structural changes.

Alloys

Definition: mixtures composed of two or more elements, at least one of which is metal.

Examples:

- Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It is harder than copper and is more easily cast and it is also used in coinage.

- Steel is the most important alloy today. The principal elements in most steel, in addition to iron, carbon, are, boron, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten, and vanadium. Steel has a wide range of useful purposes, such as corrosion resistance, ductility, hardness, and toughness.