The Effects of Strain on an Atomic Level

I have just read a very interesting article about researchers at North Carolina University and their current discoveries. These researches have provided some of the first trials and data from testing the effects of putting strain on certain atoms and their connected bonds.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007171413.htm

1. The types of bonds in certain materials are directly related to the materials' properties. Some of these properties include hardness and transparency.

2. The application of strain on the bonds in any one direction can increase the chemical reactivity of the bonds, and influence the structure in various ways.

3. Manufactures, who build many silicon-based devices, have begun to alter the silicon crystals during bond formation with the application of stress. This will allow manufacturers to be more selective during the manufacturing process, and to create more suitable products.

4. The effects of the application of stress on bond formation haven't been fully researched and documented. The researchers at North Carolina University are some of the first in putting light on this topic. After there is more data and information available, humans will have a better understanding of the bond formation process and control over it.

The structure of silicon crystals.