Phase diagram
A phase diagram is a graphical representation that shows the phases of a substance (solid, liquid, gas) as a function of temperature and pressure. It illustrates the conditions under which distinct phases occur and coexist in thermodynamic equilibrium. Key features of a typical phase diagram include: 1. **Axes**: The horizontal axis usually represents temperature, while the vertical axis represents pressure. 2. **Phase Regions**: Different areas or regions on the diagram represent different states of matter.
Photoelasticity
Photoelasticity is an experimental technique used to measure stress and strain in materials by utilizing the optical properties of transparent materials under mechanical stress. When a transparent material is subjected to stress, it exhibits birefringence, which means that it refracts light differently depending on the direction of the applied stress. This phenomenon is due to the change in the material's refractive index caused by the internal stress.
Photoelectrochemical cell
A photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) is a device that converts light energy, typically from the sun, into chemical energy through electrochemical processes. These cells combine the principles of photovoltaics and electrolysis to facilitate chemical reactions, often utilized for applications such as solar fuel production, including hydrogen generation through water splitting. Here’s how a typical PEC works: 1. **Light Absorption**: The PEC contains a photoactive material (often a semiconducting material) that absorbs sunlight.
Photoresist
Photoresist is a light-sensitive material used in various photolithography processes, commonly found in the manufacturing of semiconductors, microelectronics, and printed circuit boards. It is applied as a liquid and then coated onto a substrate, such as silicon wafers. Here’s how photoresist works: 1. **Application**: A liquid photoresist is uniformly applied to the surface of a substrate.
Physical metallurgy
Physical metallurgy is a branch of metallurgy that focuses on understanding the physical and mechanical properties of metal materials and how these properties are influenced by their microstructure, composition, and processing methods. It combines principles from physics, materials science, and engineering to analyze how metals and alloys behave under various conditions. Key aspects of physical metallurgy include: 1. **Microstructure Analysis**: Examines the arrangement of atoms and phases within a metal or alloy.
Piezospectroscopy
Piezospectroscopy is a specialized technique that involves the study of the effects of mechanical stress on the spectral characteristics of materials, particularly in relation to their optical properties. It is based on the principle that the application of pressure or stress can cause changes in the energy levels of electronic states within a material, leading to shifts in the frequency of emitted or absorbed light.
Plasma-facing material
Plasma-facing materials (PFMs) are materials specifically designed to withstand the extreme conditions encountered in environments where they are exposed to plasma, such as in fusion reactors or plasma processing systems. These conditions include high temperatures, high particle fluxes, intense radiation, and chemical erosion due to reactive species in the plasma.
Plastics engineering
Plastics engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on the design, processing, and application of plastic materials. This field encompasses a variety of techniques and technologies for the production, manipulation, and recycling of plastics. Plastics engineers work to develop new plastic materials and enhance existing ones for various applications across several industries, including automotive, packaging, consumer goods, medical devices, and electronics.
Pole figure
A **pole figure** is a graphical representation used in materials science and crystallography to describe the preferred orientation of crystallites in a polycrystalline material. It provides a way of visualizing the anisotropy of the material by displaying how the orientations of crystallites are distributed in three-dimensional space, usually projected onto a two-dimensional plane. ### Key Concepts: 1. **Crystallographic Orientation**: In a polycrystalline material, individual grains can have different crystallographic orientations.
Poly(amidoamine)
Poly(amidoamine), commonly referred to as PAMAM, is a type of dendritic polymer that is characterized by its branched structure. It is a synthetic polymer that comprises a central core atom (often a nitrogen atom) from which multiple amidoamine branches extend. PAMAM is produced through iterative processes of reactions involving amines and acids, allowing for the precise control of the polymer's architecture, including its size and functionalization.
Polyelectrolyte adsorption
Polyelectrolyte adsorption refers to the process by which polyelectrolytes—charged polymer chains—attach themselves to surfaces or interfaces, such as solid materials, colloids, or membranes. This phenomenon is important in various fields, including materials science, biochemistry, environmental science, and pharmaceuticals. ### Key Concepts: 1. **Polyelectrolytes**: These are polymeric molecules that carry charged groups (either positive or negative) along their backbone.
Polymer
"Polymer" can refer to a couple of different concepts depending on the context: 1. **In Chemistry**: A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units known as monomers, which are connected by covalent chemical bonds. Polymers can be natural (like proteins, nucleic acids, and cellulose) or synthetic (like plastics such as polyethylene and nylon). They have diverse properties and applications, ranging from flexible materials to rigid structures, depending on their chemical composition and structure.
Polymer adsorption
Polymer adsorption refers to the process by which polymer molecules adhere to a solid surface or interface, often involving a liquid, gas, or another solid medium. This phenomenon can occur in various contexts, including biological systems, materials science, and industrial applications.
Polymer science
Polymer science, also known as polymer chemistry or polymer physics, is the study of polymers, which are large molecules composed of repeating structural units called monomers. These macromolecules play a vital role in a wide range of applications and materials used in everyday life, including plastics, rubbers, fibers, and biological materials.
Portevin–Le Chatelier effect
The Portevin–Le Chatelier (PLC) effect is a phenomenon observed in certain metallic alloys, particularly those that exhibit plastic deformation under applied stress. It is characterized by the occurrence of unstable plastic flow, leading to localized regions of deformation that can produce visible serrations or jerky flow in the stress-strain curve during tensile testing. The PLC effect is typically seen at specific temperature and strain rate conditions, often occurring in solid-solution-strengthened alloys.
Powder mixture
A powder mixture refers to a composition made by blending two or more powdered materials. These materials can vary widely in their chemical and physical properties and can include metals, ceramics, polymers, or other substances. Powder mixtures are commonly used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, ceramics, and materials science. Key points about powder mixtures include: 1. **Composition**: The individual components can have different particle sizes, shapes, and chemical properties.
Precipitate-free zone
The term "precipitate-free zone" (PFZ) typically refers to an area in a material, often observed in metals and alloys, where no precipitates—small, solid particles formed from a solution—are present. This phenomenon is significant in materials science and metallurgical engineering, particularly in the study of phase transformations and the mechanical properties of materials.
Pseudoelasticity
Pseudoelasticity refers to a property of certain materials, particularly shape memory alloys (SMAs), that exhibit a unique behavior under stress. In pseudoelastic materials, the stress-strain response can show a reversible transformation between different phases (like austenite and martensite in SMAs) without a change in temperature.
Pugmill
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.
Puncture resistance
Puncture resistance refers to the ability of a material or product to withstand puncturing forces without being penetrated or damaged. This property is particularly important in various applications, including: 1. **Footwear**: Safety shoes often feature puncture-resistant soles to protect the wearer's feet from sharp objects such as nails or shards of glass. 2. **Gloves**: Puncture-resistant gloves are used in industries where workers handle sharp tools or materials, providing protection against cuts and punctures.