The Frank–Read source is a theoretical model used in materials science and solid mechanics to explain how dislocations in crystalline materials can multiply, leading to plastic deformation. The concept was proposed by physicists Edward Frank and John Read in the 1950s. In a crystalline solid, dislocations are line defects that allow for the easy movement of atoms, enabling materials to deform under stress.
Electroplasticity is a phenomenon in which the mechanical properties of materials, particularly metals, are altered by the application of an electric current during deformation processes. This effect can lead to a reduction in yield strength and an increase in ductility, making it easier to shape materials under low-temperature conditions. The primary mechanism behind electroplasticity involves the interaction between the electric field and the motion of dislocations (defects in the crystal structure of materials) within the metal.
Geometallurgy is an interdisciplinary approach that combines geology, metallurgy, and mining engineering to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the mining and processing of mineral resources. The primary goal of geometallurgy is to understand the spatial variability of ore characteristics and how these variations affect the extraction and processing of metals. Key components of geometallurgy include: 1. **Geological Mapping**: Detailed geological surveys and mapping are conducted to identify and characterize ore deposits.
Hankinson's equation is a semi-empirical formula used to estimate the shear strength of soils, particularly in the context of site investigation and geotechnical engineering. The equation takes into account various factors that influence soil behavior, such as confining pressure and soil properties.
The Kopp–Etchells effect refers to a phenomenon observed in the field of materials science and condensed matter physics, particularly related to the behavior of certain magnetic materials. It describes the interaction between magnetic fields and the electronic states of materials, leading to unique changes in their physical properties, such as electrical conductivity or magnetic susceptibility.
Industrial computed tomography (ICT) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique that utilizes X-rays or gamma rays to create detailed 3D images of the internal structures of an object. This technology is widely used in various industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, to inspect, analyze, and evaluate the integrity of components and materials without causing any damage to them.
Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) is an interdisciplinary approach that combines materials science, engineering, and computational modeling to design and optimize materials and their processing. The goal of ICME is to achieve a more efficient and innovative materials development process by integrating simulations and computational techniques at various stages of the materials lifecycle, from design to manufacturing to performance assessment.
The Larson–Miller relation is an empirical relationship used in materials science and engineering to estimate the high-temperature creep life of a material, particularly metals and alloys. It is particularly useful in predicting the time-to-fracture under conditions of both high temperature and stress.
Martian regolith simulant is a synthetic material designed to mimic the physical and chemical properties of the surface soil found on Mars, known as Martian regolith. Scientists and researchers create these simulants to facilitate experiments and studies in various fields such as planetary science, astrobiology, and engineering for future Mars missions.
Material failure theory is a framework used to predict when materials will fail under various types of loads and conditions. It is critical in engineering and materials science, as understanding failure mechanisms helps in the design of safer and more reliable structures and components. The theory encompasses several models and criteria that describe how materials respond to stress and strain, ultimately leading to failure.
Machine Learning Potential (MLP) is a concept used in materials science and computational chemistry to model the potential energy surface of a system using machine learning techniques. It aims to provide an efficient and accurate way to estimate the interactions between atoms in a molecular or crystalline system without having to rely on traditional quantum mechanical calculations, which can be computationally expensive.
Optical modulators using semiconductor nanostructures are devices that manipulate light based on the electrical or optical input signals. These modulators utilize semiconductor materials at the nanoscale—such as quantum dots, quantum wells, and nanowires—to achieve high efficiency and performance for controlling light signals.
Nanofluidics is the study and application of fluid flow at the nanoscale, typically involving channels or pores that are on the order of nanometers in size. This field combines aspects of fluid dynamics, materials science, and nanotechnology to explore the unique behavior of fluids when confined to such small dimensions. Key aspects of nanofluidics include: 1. **Scale**: At the nanoscale, the properties of fluids can differ significantly from those observed in larger-scale environments.
Paleo-inspiration typically refers to ideas, practices, or designs that draw from the Paleolithic era, which lasted from about 2.6 million years ago to around 10,000 years ago when humans were primarily hunter-gatherers. This concept is often applied in various fields such as nutrition, fitness, art, and lifestyle choices.
Perovskite nanocrystals are a class of materials that possess a specific crystal structure known as the perovskite structure, typically characterized by the formula ABX₃. In this formula, "A" and "B" represent cations of different sizes, while "X" usually represents an anion, commonly oxygen or halides like iodine, bromine, or chlorine.
A pugmill, also known as a pug mill or pug mixer, is a type of industrial mixer used to blend and mix materials, particularly in the production of clay, ceramics, and other similar substances. It is specifically designed to process materials that must be mixed in a wet state or require the addition of water to achieve the desired consistency.
Sudestada is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in the southeastern part of South America, particularly affecting areas such as Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Brazil. It is characterized by sustained winds from the southeast, which can bring significant weather changes, including increased humidity, cloud cover, and precipitation. During a Sudestada, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean is forced inland, often resulting in heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and the potential for flooding, particularly in low-lying areas.
Random Sequential Adsorption (RSA) is a theoretical model used to describe the process of particle deposition onto a surface. In this model, particles are randomly placed on a surface one at a time. Each particle is allowed to "adsorb" or stick to the surface only if it does not overlap with any already adsorbed particles. Once a particle is successfully adsorbed, it stays on the surface, and subsequent particles are added under the same condition of non-overlapping.
Synoptic scale meteorology refers to the study of weather systems and phenomena that cover large geographic areas, typically ranging from about 100 kilometers (62 miles) to several thousand kilometers (thousands of miles) in size. This scale of meteorology primarily focuses on the atmospheric processes and patterns associated with high-pressure and low-pressure systems, fronts, and other large-scale weather features.
Reaction bonded silicon carbide (RBSC) is a type of advanced ceramic material known for its excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and resistance to chemical attack. It is produced through a process that involves the reaction of silicon with carbon at high temperatures, which results in the formation of silicon carbide (SiC).

Pinned article: Introduction to the OurBigBook Project

Welcome to the OurBigBook Project! Our goal is to create the perfect publishing platform for STEM subjects, and get university-level students to write the best free STEM tutorials ever.
Everyone is welcome to create an account and play with the site: ourbigbook.com/go/register. We belive that students themselves can write amazing tutorials, but teachers are welcome too. You can write about anything you want, it doesn't have to be STEM or even educational. Silly test content is very welcome and you won't be penalized in any way. Just keep it legal!
We have two killer features:
  1. topics: topics group articles by different users with the same title, e.g. here is the topic for the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus" ourbigbook.com/go/topic/fundamental-theorem-of-calculus
    Articles of different users are sorted by upvote within each article page. This feature is a bit like:
    • a Wikipedia where each user can have their own version of each article
    • a Q&A website like Stack Overflow, where multiple people can give their views on a given topic, and the best ones are sorted by upvote. Except you don't need to wait for someone to ask first, and any topic goes, no matter how narrow or broad
    This feature makes it possible for readers to find better explanations of any topic created by other writers. And it allows writers to create an explanation in a place that readers might actually find it.
    Figure 1.
    Screenshot of the "Derivative" topic page
    . View it live at: ourbigbook.com/go/topic/derivative
  2. local editing: you can store all your personal knowledge base content locally in a plaintext markup format that can be edited locally and published either:
    This way you can be sure that even if OurBigBook.com were to go down one day (which we have no plans to do as it is quite cheap to host!), your content will still be perfectly readable as a static site.
    Figure 2.
    You can publish local OurBigBook lightweight markup files to either https://OurBigBook.com or as a static website
    .
    Figure 3.
    Visual Studio Code extension installation
    .
    Figure 4.
    Visual Studio Code extension tree navigation
    .
    Figure 5.
    Web editor
    . You can also edit articles on the Web editor without installing anything locally.
    Video 3.
    Edit locally and publish demo
    . Source. This shows editing OurBigBook Markup and publishing it using the Visual Studio Code extension.
    Video 4.
    OurBigBook Visual Studio Code extension editing and navigation demo
    . Source.
  3. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook-media/master/feature/x/hilbert-space-arrow.png
  4. Infinitely deep tables of contents:
    Figure 6.
    Dynamic article tree with infinitely deep table of contents
    .
    Descendant pages can also show up as toplevel e.g.: ourbigbook.com/cirosantilli/chordate-subclade
All our software is open source and hosted at: github.com/ourbigbook/ourbigbook
Further documentation can be found at: docs.ourbigbook.com
Feel free to reach our to us for any help or suggestions: docs.ourbigbook.com/#contact