4 Facts: Bonding

1. Bonding determines physical properties and characteristics of the resulting compound.
2.Strain can be used to affect the bond and its characteristics.
3.Because of the new insight into how strain affects atomic bonds on a closer level, scientists may be able to control properties of bonds.
4.One of the possible results of this discovery is the development of more efficient silicon compounds.

Alloys

1. An alloy is a metal composed of more than one element.  Alloys are engineered by melting down the elements and mixing them to make a new solution.  Alloys are primarily engineered to change certain properties.  For example, steel is created using iron and carbon, and can be engineered to be stronger or lighter than iron alone.  Another example of an alloy is magnesium alloy, which is found in high-end camera bodies to increase strength and durability.  It is composed of magnesium, and other metals including aluminum, zinc, and tungsten.