Solar Energy News  
TECH SPACE
Supercomputer simulation reveals 2-D glass can go infinitely soft
by Staff Writers
Sendai, Japan (SPX) Dec 14, 2016


Left and right figures are schematic diagrams of glassy solid in two and three dimensions. Modality of the dynamics of glassy solid in different dimensions is illustrated. In three dimensions, a particle vibrates inside a cage formed by neighboring particles, due to the densely packed condition of the particles, and intermittently goes out of the cage. In two dimensions, long-wavelength vibrational sound waves induce coherent motion of the particles with a large amplitude that can in principle exceed the length scale of particle radii (the aqua colored circle on the left indicates that the caged particle can move a large distance). Image courtesy Hayato Shiba. For a larger version of this image please go here.

Scientists in Japan have revealed that if a glassy solid possesses a planar (sheet-like) structure, it can exhibit enhanced thermal vibration motion due to the same mechanism known for the planar crystals (two-dimensional crystals), by using large-scale simulations on supercomputers.

"Imagine if we could make a sheet of glass, which has a two-dimensional (2D) planate shape," says Dr. Hayato Shiba, of Tohoku University's Institute for Materials Research (IMR).

"In such a confined spatial dimension, a variety of novel phenomena takes place in usual "periodic" systems (crystals, spin systems etc.). This is due to the thermal motion of the constituents taking place on a larger scale because of the limited spatial dimensions."

Such enhanced thermal motion is known to induce new physical phenomena which Shiba, and his research team of Yasunori Yamada (IMR), Takeshi Kawasaki (Nagoya University) and Kang Kim (Osaka University), hope will lead the development of new functional materials and devices necessary for the realization of energy-saving societies.

However, it is still uncertain whether 2D glass, as an "non-periodic" system, exhibits such enhanced thermal motions.

"Our result indicates that 2D glass can become soft, gradually and forever, as we go to the macroscopic scales. Consequently, the vibration amplitude becomes infinite because of the large-scale motions," says Shiba.

"In other words, such materials might exhibit strong responses to external fields or deformation. The thermal vibration is perfectly different from that in a 3D glass, and it can even alter the fundamental nature of vitrification and glassy phase transition."

In the experiments, 2D glass was experimentally realized using colloidal systems, and can also be realized using other soft and hard materials.

Research paper


Comment on this article using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.


Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only


.


Related Links
Tohoku University
Space Technology News - Applications and Research






Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

Previous Report
TECH SPACE
Decoding cement's shape promises greener concrete
Houston TX (SPX) Dec 12, 2016
Bringing order to disorder is key to making stronger and greener cement, the paste that binds concrete. Scientists at Rice University have decoded the kinetic properties of cement and developed a way to "program" the microscopic, semicrystalline particles within. The process turns particles from disordered clumps into regimented cubes, spheres and other forms that combine to make the material le ... read more


TECH SPACE
People willing to pay more for new biofuels

Investing in the 'bioeconomy' could create jobs and reduce carbon emissions

Argonne researchers study how reflectivity of biofuel crops impacts climate

UNIST researchers turn waste gas into road-ready diesel fuel

TECH SPACE
Wall-jumping robot is most vertically agile ever built

Boeing to acquire Liquid Robotics

DARPA Creating Industry Government Group for Safe Operation of Space Robotics

China criticises US decision to block Aixtron deal

TECH SPACE
Apple invests in China wind farms

War remnants cleared for German wind farm

German energy company plants wind farm seed in Texas

New York to bid in Federal Offshore Wind Auction

TECH SPACE
Electric vehicle market footprint growing

China auto sales peak in November: group

S. Korea fines Volkswagen $32 mn for false advertising

Taking back control of an autonomous car affects human steering behavior

TECH SPACE
Researchers peer into atom-sized tunnels in hunt for better battery

Engineers build refrigerator powered by sound waves

Energy innovation is focus of Gates-led $1 billion fund

NASA Research Helps Take Silver-Zinc Batteries from Idea to the Shelf

TECH SPACE
Bulgaria seeks investor to revive nuclear project

Japan switches on nuclear reactor after safety shutdown

Construction of nuclear fuel fabrication plant has started in Kazakhstan

Court backs damage claims over German nuclear exit

TECH SPACE
US push to low-carbon future 'unstoppable': Biden

Aquila Capital to merge Norway's Smakraft and Norsk Gronnkraft

China's Shanghai Electric to invest $9bn in Pakistan upgrades

Trump picks fossil fuel ally to head environment agency

TECH SPACE
Indonesia expands protection for peatlands, climate

Laser technique boosts aerial imaging of woodlands

Green groups pressure Spain over 'at risk' wetlands

Scientists say North should commit to pay for forest conservation in South









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.