Diffraction topography is a powerful imaging technique used primarily in materials science and crystallography to investigate the internal structure and defects of crystalline materials. It is based on the principles of X-ray diffraction or neutron diffraction and allows for the visualization of the crystal lattice and any distortions or defects within the crystal.
Hermann–Mauguin notation, also known as the international notation or Schoenflies notation, is a system used in crystallography to describe the symmetry and properties of crystal structures. This notation helps categorize crystals based on their symmetry operations, such as rotations, reflections, and inversions, allowing scientists to communicate the structural characteristics of different crystalline materials succinctly. In Hermann–Mauguin notation, a crystal system is represented by a unique symbol that combines letters and numbers.
Perovskite refers to a specific class of materials that have a characteristic crystal structure named after the mineral perovskite (CaTiO3), which was first discovered in the Ural Mountains in Russia. The general formula for perovskite-structured materials can be expressed as ABX3, where: - A is a cation (a positively charged ion) that occupies the larger dodecahedral sites.
The Urbach tail refers to a particular feature of the optical absorption edge in disordered or amorphous semiconductor materials and insulators. It describes the exponential tail of the absorption spectrum that appears just below the bandgap energy of a material. In ideal crystalline semiconductors, the absorption edge is typically sharp and well-defined due to the periodic lattice structure. However, in disordered materials, defects, impurities, and localized states within the bandgap can lead to a broadening of the absorption spectrum.
"Dye-and-pry" commonly refers to a technique used in the field of chemistry and materials science, particularly in the study of polymers. However, the term can also be associated with methods in biology, such as gene expression analysis. In the context of polymers, dye-and-pry typically involves labeling or tagging a polymer with a fluorescent dye to study its properties. This method can help in understanding the interactions of polymers, their stability, or their behavior under various conditions.
Track gauges refer to the distance between the inner faces of the rails on a railway track. It is a critical component in railway design and construction, as it affects the stability and operation of trains. There are different types of track gauges, and they can be categorized mainly into three groups: 1. **Standard Gauge**: The most commonly used gauge worldwide, measuring 1,435 millimeters (4 feet 8.5 inches).
Terotechnology is a branch of engineering and management that focuses on the lifecycle management of physical assets. This concept encompasses the processes of acquisition, operation, maintenance, and disposal of assets, with the aim of maximizing their performance, reliability, and safety while minimizing costs over their lifespan. The field of terotechnology integrates various disciplines, including engineering, economics, and management, to ensure that assets such as machinery, equipment, and infrastructure are effectively managed throughout their entire lifecycle.
A flat-panel detector (FPD) is a type of imaging device primarily used in medical radiography and fluoroscopy, as well as in industrial applications. It serves as an electronic sensor that converts x-ray photons into a digital image, allowing for high-quality images to be captured quickly and efficiently. ### Key Characteristics: 1. **Structure**: Flat-panel detectors typically consist of a rectangular flat panel that houses an array of sensors, most commonly made of either amorphous silicon or selenium.
Time-of-flight ultrasonic determination of 3D elastic constants is an experimental technique used to measure the elastic properties of materials, particularly in three dimensions (3D). This method utilizes ultrasonic waves to assess how a material responds to stress and strain, allowing for the calculation of its elastic constants, which are fundamental parameters that describe the material's mechanical behavior.
Tubular NDT (Non-Destructive Testing) refers to a set of testing techniques specifically designed to evaluate the integrity and properties of tubular structures, such as pipes, tubes, and casing in various industries, including oil and gas, construction, and manufacturing. Non-destructive testing methods allow for the assessment of materials and components without causing damage, which is crucial for maintaining safety and reliability.
The Dick Volz Award is an accolade presented to honor outstanding achievement in the field of electrical and computer engineering and is typically associated with the University of Idaho. Named after Dick Volz, a long-serving faculty member in the university's electrical and computer engineering department, the award recognizes individuals for their professional contributions, service, and impact on the engineering community or their respective fields.
The Timoshenko Medal is an award established to recognize outstanding contributions in the field of mechanical engineering, particularly in applied mechanics. It is named after the renowned Russian-American engineer and educator, Stephen Timoshenko, who is often referred to as the "father of modern engineering mechanics." The medal is awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and is intended to honor individuals who have made significant achievements in the areas of theory, research, or education in applied mechanics.
Engineering for Change (E4C) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on promoting engineering solutions to address global challenges, particularly in underserved communities. It aims to harness the skills and creativity of engineers and technologists to create sustainable and impactful solutions that improve the quality of life for people in need.
SAWE stands for the Society of Allied Weight Engineers. It is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the discipline of weight engineering within various industries, particularly in aerospace, automotive, and defense. The society provides resources for weight engineers, including education, training, standards, and networking opportunities. SAWE also focuses on advancing the practice of weight engineering to improve design processes, enhance product performance, and support cost-effective and efficient project management.
A barrel nut is a type of fastener that is often used in conjunction with a bolt to secure two or more components together. It is typically a cylindrical piece of metal with internal threads that allow a bolt to be screwed into it. Barrel nuts are commonly found in furniture assembly, especially in items like flat-pack furniture, where they provide a secure connection between panels without requiring access to the other side of the joint.
A diaphragm, in the context of mechanical devices, is a flexible membrane or barrier designed to separate two areas while allowing for the movement of fluids, gases, or other materials. It is commonly used in various applications, including: 1. **Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems**: Diaphragms serve as seals or barriers in pumps, valves, and actuators, allowing for pressure differentials to operate machinery efficiently. They can move up and down to create a pumping action or regulate flow.
Jacking gear typically refers to a mechanical system used for the lifting, lowering, or positioning of heavy loads, often employed in various industrial applications. It consists of components designed to convert rotary motion into linear motion to raise or lower loads smoothly and safely. Common features of jacking gear include: 1. **Jack Screws or Worm Gears**: These are mechanisms that allow for fine adjustments in height or position by converting rotational movement into axial movement.
"Processing medium" can refer to various contexts, but it typically describes the material or environment in which processing occurs, particularly in fields such as art, computing, or manufacturing. Here are some interpretations based on different contexts: 1. **Art and Design**: In the context of visual arts, a processing medium might refer to the materials used to create artwork, such as paint, clay, or digital tools.
A "sand slinger" is a type of machinery or equipment used primarily in construction, foundry work, and various industries where the application of sand is necessary. Its main function is to propel sand or other materials at high speeds for purposes such as sandblasting, surface cleaning, or creating sand molds in casting processes.
The Stelzer engine, also known as the "Stelzer motor," refers to a type of internal combustion engine designed by German engineer Hans Stelzer. The engine is notable for its unconventional design, particularly its unique arrangement of cylinders and crankshaft, which differentiates it from traditional engine types.

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