Characterization

Silica’s secret—Newly identified phases show amorphous states absent at high pressure

By April Gocha / March 25, 2015

A team from the Carnegie Institute for Science recently discovered five rare forms of silica that form under extreme pressures at room temperature.

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7 inexpensive and easy-to-implement strategies to advance women in science

By Jessica McMathis / March 19, 2015

A working group of 30-plus academic and business leaders organized by the New York Stem Cell Foundation has put forth seven strategies to address financial support, psychological and cultural issues, and collaborative and international initiatives they believe will advance women in an often imbalanced STEM landscape.

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Glass fibers weave supersonic strength into ballistic panels for world’s fastest vehicle

By April Gocha / March 18, 2015

The Bloodhound Project hopes its new supersonic rocket-powered car will obliterate the world record by rocketing to 1,000 mph.

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Materials research and research centers get leg up from NSF funding

By Jessica McMathis / March 2, 2015

Thanks to a multi-million-dollar infusion of funding from the National Science Foundation, materials and materials research centers are having one of their best months ever.

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Putting an ear to materials: Ultrasonic nonlinear imaging detects defects before cracks form

By April Gocha / February 27, 2015

Researchers at Bristol University in the United Kingdom have devised an ultrasonic nonlinear imaging technique to detect defects in materials, even before faults form.

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Distorted reality: Revolving electron microscopy divulges material’s innermost atomic secrets

By April Gocha / February 17, 2015

Researchers at North Carolina State University have pioneered a new imaging method that is allowing them to peer inside a material’s atomic organization to precisely map the location of distortions, a unique perspective that is allowing them to see how those distortions affect the material’s properties.

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The band gap, but not The Gap Band, is engineering complex oxide materials of the future

By April Gocha / February 4, 2015

ACerS member James Rondinelli, a materials science and engineering professor at Northwestern University, and his research group are studying how to adjust the electronic band gap in complex oxides by simply adjusting a material’s properties, rather than its overall composition.

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Unique crystals prevent crack propagation and bestow strength to ancient Roman concrete

By April Gocha / January 6, 2015

A new study confirms that unique aluminum-containing crystals that form in Roman concrete are behind the material’s robust strength and durability.

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Blinded me with science: A look back at 2014

By Jessica McMathis / December 29, 2014

Because it’s that time of year, and because it’s worth remembering—associate editor Jessica shares her top five posts, people, and moments from 2014.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / December 17, 2014

Imaging inside of materials, magnetite structure surprises, nanoshaping methods, and other materials stories that may be of interest for December 17, 2014.

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