Are you on Facebook? Twitter, perhaps? Maybe LinkedIn? What about a social networking site dedicated to materials science? If you are not, you may be more alone than you think… 16 February 2010
Increasing attention on metamaterials has been paid due to their exciting physical behaviors and potential applications. While most of such artificial material structures developed so far are based on metallic resonant structures, Mie resonances of dielectric particles open a simpler and more versatile route for construction of isotropic metamaterials with higher operating frequencies. 13 January 2010
We review our recent efforts in understanding the resonance properties of metallic ring systems using a rigorous mode-expansion theory. In the quasi-static limit, we established a matrix-form circuit equation to calculate the frequencies and current distributions for all resonance modes in a ring system. We then applied the theory to study different split ring resonators (SRR). 12 January 2010
In this article, we have reviewed recent progresses on the negative refraction and the abnormal transmission of electromagnetic wave in two-dimensional photonic crystals. The physical mechanisms related to these phenomena have been analyzed, and the focusing properties of the point source through the photonic-crystal-based flat lens have been discussed. 12 January 2010
Hydrogen has been identified as a fuel of choice for providing clean energy for transport and other applications across the world and the development of materials to store hydrogen efficiently and safely is crucial to this endeavour. Hydrogen has the largest scattering interaction with neutrons of all the elements in the periodic table making neutron scattering ideal for studying hydrogen storage materials. 05 January 2010
The mechanisms and processes of bubble nucleation and growth are still not completely solved and research in this field is ongoing. This is an important issue for materials used in fission and fusion reactors. In such environments, one of the main gaseous by-products is helium, whose presence and further production is known to decrease ductility, fatigue life and weldability, induce creep and stress rupture properties of materials, as well as promote swelling. 22 December 2009
Plasma facing materials, the materials that line the vacuum vessel, experience particularly hostile conditions as they are subjected to high particle and neutron flux and high heat loads. Plasma facing materials must have high thermal conductivity for efficient heat transport, high cohesive energy for low erosion by particle bombardment and low atomic number to minimize plasma cooling. These contradictory requirements make the development of plasma facing materials one of the greatest challenges ever faced by materials scientists. Modeling has made, and continues to make, a valuable contribution to the understanding of the various processes involved in the radiation damage of plasma facing materials. 22 December 2009
With the renewed interest in nuclear energy, developing new materials able to respond to the stringent requirements of the next-generation fission and future fusion reactors has become a priority. An efficient search for such materials requires detailed knowledge of material behaviour under irradiation, high temperatures and corrosive environments. Minimizing the rates of materials degradation will be possible only if the mechanisms by which it occurs are understood. 22 December 2009
To facilitate the discovery and design of innovative nuclear fuels, multi-scale models and simulations are used to predict irradiation effects on properties such as thermal conductivity, oxygen diffusivity, and thermal expansion. The multi-scale approach is illustrated using results on ceramic fuels, with a focus on predictions of point defect concentration, stoichiometry, and phase stability. The high performance computer simulations include coupled heat transport, diffusion, and thermal expansion, and gas bubble formation and evolution in a fuel element consisting of UO2 fuel and metallic cladding. 22 December 2009
Structural materials represent the key for containment of nuclear fuel and fission products as well as reliable and thermodynamically efficient production of electrical energy from nuclear reactors. Similarly, high-performance structural materials will be critical for the future success of proposed fusion energy reactors, which will subject the structures to unprecedented fluxes of high-energy neutrons along with intense thermomechanical stresses. 22 December 2009
Nanoscience and nanotechnology are closely intertwined subjects that are attracting ever-increasing attention, both in the scientific world and in the marketplace. Major developments in growth and synthesis methods mean that atoms can nowadays be manipulated in a controlled fashion to produce novel properties that are often not found in bulk materials. 21 January 2009
After some definitions to establish common ground and illustrate the issues in terms of orders of magnitude, we note that meeting the Energy challenge will require suitable materials. 27 November 2008
The industrial revolution 200 years ago freed society from the limitations of bioenergy and brought tremendous growth but also huge environmental problems. Now, a new generation of modular technologies based on advanced materials enables efficient conversion of solar energy and carries the seeds of a new industrial revolution. 27 November 2008
We raise here a series of critical issues regarding artificial photosynthesis with the intention of increasing awareness about what needs to be done to bring about a working prototype. 27 November 2008
The ever-increasing demand for energy coupled with dwindling fossil fuel resources make the establishment of a clean and sustainable energy system a compelling need. 27 November 2008
Not since the oil crisis of the 1970s has the perception that energy is a crucial and precious resource been as strong as it is today. 27 November 2008
Producing energy to supply the demands of our societies is reaching a critical limit. To tackle this issue, there is a slow renaissance of fission reactors and the push to realise fusion reactors. 27 November 2008
Is the vision of a clean, carbon-free future possible? Among the many issues inherent in a move toward a hydrogen economy is the reliance on fuel cells. 27 November 2008
Electrical bias-induced phase transitions underpin a wide range of applications from data storage to energy generation and conversion. 27 November 2008
Detailed knowledge of the atomic-scale structure is needed to understand and predict properties of materials. 27 November 2008
Many novel synchrotron-based X-ray techniques directly address the core questions of modern materials science but are not yet at the stage of being easy to use because of the lack of dedicated beamlines optimized for specific measurements. 27 November 2008
In the context of global warming, nuclear energy is a carbon-free source of power and so is a meaningful option for energy production without CO2 emissions 26 September 2008
The ability to control the creation of mechanical work remotely, with high speed and spatial precision, over long distances, offers many intriguing possibilities. 20 June 2008
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