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Research Opportunities for Materials with Ultrafine Microstructures (1989) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
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From page 1...
... The scope includes what is known about metal, ceramic, and polymeric materials and their composites, but the report deliberately avoids significant discussion of semiconductor and superconductor materials, electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of multilayers, and rapidly solidified materials. These have been adequately treated in other publications.
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From page 2...
... A number of recent developments in microstructural and microchemical analysis methods will almost certainly have a significant impact on characterization of nanoscale materials. Among the most promising new methods currently available are the field ion microscope with atom probe capabilities, the scanning tunneling microscope with atomic force probe capabilities, and such analytical methods as electron-energy loss spectroscopy utilizing ultrafine probe sizes.
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From page 3...
... · Organic molecular composites are polymeric materials consisting of two or more components dispersed at the molecular level. Examples include compatible polymer blends that are noncrystalline, thermodynamically stable single-phase materials as well as blends of components that are processed into a homogeneous state but are not at thermodynamic equilibrium.
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From page 4...
... New applications will be based on the potential for new product schemes and the economics for the entire process, of which the catalyst is just one part. Broad classes of catalytic reactions that make use of ultrafine catalytic particles include emission control catalysis, catalytic reforming, synthesis gas catalysis, Ziegler process for polyethylene, and oxidation catalysis.
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From page 5...
... A wide range of potential property modifications, including shape-induced optical birefringence, shape-controlled optical nonlinearity, and potential modes for inducing optical bistability, remain to be explored. It is clear that there will be corresponding magnetic nanocomposites and that for these materials additional versatility can be expected because of nanoscale interaction with the transport phenomena and the associated optical absorption.
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Key Terms

  • nanoscale materials
  • starting materials
  • phase separation
  • sufficient quantities
  • polymeric materials

  • probe capabilities
  • potential application
  • synthesizing nanophase
  • hold potential
  • mechanical reduction

  • ultrafine microstructures
  • desired lateral
  • catalytic activation
  • unique characteristics
  • multiphase alloys

  • solid state
  • thermodynamic equilibrium
  • truly outstanding
  • phase allows
  • controlled microstructures

  • size distributions
  • length scale
  • easily applied
  • improved materials
  • carefully controlled

  • provide suitable
  • components dispersed
  • thermodynamically stable
  • performance evaluation
  • selectively remove


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