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How Negative Thermal Expansion Works

Posted by michael on from the weird-science dept.

Bill Kendrick writes "Scientists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, are discovering why compounds like zirconium tungstate 'are acting like they are from Bizarro world': contracting, rather than expanding, when heated. They believe it's a combination of geometrical frustration (which sounds a lot like what it is), and a 'twisting' motion of the atoms."

4 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Call me dumb... by MindStalker · · Score: 3, Informative

    RTFL. They said the theoretical right mix of expanding and contracting elements which would produce zero change is what the ultimatly are wanting to develop. This is the first material that contracts over large temperature ranges, so it may be perfect for such a mix. Obviously they are still working on it.

  2. Re:Call me dumb... by over_exposed · · Score: 2, Informative

    Actually - I'm an idiot... The last paragraph:

    "If you could create the right mix of materials to neutralize thermal expansion, that would be quite a significant technological advance," Schlesinger said.

    THAT is how it would be useful...

    --
    "The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his." - Patton
  3. Re:Ice ice baby by jericho4.0 · · Score: 2, Informative
    Phase diagram of water

    Most materials do the same. There are very few liquids that don't subliminate in a vacum.

    --
    "A language that doesn't affect the way you think about programming, is not worth knowing" - Alan Perlis
  4. Instead of negative thermal expansion by Pugflop · · Score: 2, Informative

    Shouldn't we just call it "thermal contraction"?