Technique Allows Researchers to Examine How Materials Bond at the Atomic Level

Facts:

1. Strain makes a difference in how bonds form, but there hasn't been a great deal of understanding on how this idea works on the atomic level
2. Scientists have been able to influence the assembly process of silicon crystals by applying strain during bond formation
3. The results from the experiment led to the conclusion that application of even small amount of strain in one direction increases the chemical reactivity of bonds in a certain direction, which in turn causes structural changes
4. Continued research should allow for future scientists to be able to identify the significant hidden variables, and silicon-based devices will in turn become more efficient as a result.

Dry Ice

What is dry ice?
 - The frozen form of carbon dioxide
How is it made?
STEPS:
1. Take the gas form of carbon dioxide and have it pressurized and refrigerated to form liquid carbon dioxide.  
2. Allow for it to expand in an atmospheric chamber.
3. When the CO2 changes from a liquid to a gas, there should be a huge drop in temperature, which will cause some of the gas to freeze. This should allow for the creation of both the solid and gas form of carbon dioxide. 

4.  Product is then hydraulically pressed into dry ice blocks.   

What is it used for?
- Is particularly used for freezing/keeping things frozen
- Also to create "fog"
Why does it "smoke"/Is it really "smoke"?

- When combined with water, it turns into a cold mixture of carbon dioxide and humid air, which creates condensation of water vapor in the air (smoke/fog).

Alloys

Definition:
A mixture or metallic solution composed of two of more elements
Examples:

Brass - jewelry; piping; stamping dies; instruments

Bronze - coins; medals; gears; tools; electrical hardware