Amorphous material A material that does not have a long range

order of atoms (Silica glass)

Anion A negatively charged ion produced when an atom, usually of
a nonmetal, accepts one or more electrons.
Atomic mass The mass of the Avogadro number of atoms, g/mol.
Normally, this is the average number of protons and neutrons in the
atom. Also called the atomic weight.
Atomic mass unit The mass of an atom expressed as 1/12 of the
mass of a carbon atom.
Atomic number The number of protons or electrons in an atom.
Atomic structure All atoms and their arrangements that constitute
the building blocks of matter.
Avogadro number The number of atoms or molecules in a mole.
The Avogadro number is 6.02 x 1023 per mole.
Cation A positively charged ion produced when an atom, usually of
a metal, gives up its valence electrons.
Composition The chemical make-up of a material.
Covalent bond The bond formed between two atoms when the
atoms share their valence electrons.
Crystalline materials Materials in which atoms are arranged in a
periodic fashion exhibiting a long-range order.
Directional relationship The bonds between atoms in covalently
bonded materials form specific angles, depending on the material.
Ductility The ability of materials to be stretched or bent without
breaking.
Electronegativity The relative tendency of an atom to accept an

electron and become an anion. Strongly electronegative atoms

readily accept electrons.
Hydrogen bond A Keesom interaction (a type of van der Waals
bond) between molecules in which a hydrogen atom is involved
(e.g., bonds between water molecules).
Interatomic spacing The equilibrium spacing between the centers
of two atoms. In
solid elements, the interatomic spacing equals the apparent
diameter of the atom.
Intermetallic compound A compound such as AI3V formed by two
or more metallic atoms; bonding is typically a combination of
metallic and ionic bonds.
Ionic bond The bond formed between two different atom species
when one atom (the cation) donates its valence electrons to the
second atom (the anion). An electrostatic attraction binds the ions
together.
Long-range atomic arrangements Repetitive three-dimensional
patterns with which atoms or ions are arranged in crystalline
materials.
Macrostructure Structure of a material at a macroscopic level. The
length-scale is ~> 100,000 nm. Typical features include porosity,
surface coatings, and internal or external mico-cracks.
Metallic bond The electrostatic attraction between the valence
electrons and the positively charged ion cores.
Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) These consist of
miniaturized devices typically prepared by micromachining.
Microstructure Structure of a material at a length-scale of ~10 to
1000 nm. This typically includes such features as average grain size,
grain size distribution, grain orientation and those related to defects
in materials.

Modulus of elasticity The slope of the stress-strain curve in the

elastic region (E). Also known as Youngs modulus.
Nano-scale A length scale of 1-100 nm.
Nanostructure Structure of a material at a nano-scale (~lengthscale 1-100 nm).

Nanotechnology An emerging set of technologies based on nanoscale devices, phenomena, and materials.
Polarized molecules Molecules that have developed a dipole
moment by virtue of an internal or external electric field.
Primary bonds Strong bonds between adjacent atoms resulting
from the transfer or sharing of outer orbital electrons.
Secondary bond Weak bonds, such as van der Waals bonds, that
typically join molecules to one another.
Short-range atomic arrangements Atomic arrangements up to a
distance of a few nm.
Transition elements A set of elements whose electronic
configurations are such that their inner d and f levels begin to fill up.
These elements usually exhibit multiple valence and are useful for
electronic, magnetic and optical application.
Van der Waals bond A secondary bond developed between atoms
and molecules as a result of interactions between dipoles that are
induced or permanent.
Yield strength The level of stress above which a material begins to
show permanent deformation.