Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Network Covalent Solids02:18

Network Covalent Solids

16.1K
Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
16.1K
Switching of BJT01:22

Switching of BJT

805
Switching behavior in Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) is a fundamental aspect utilized in various electronic circuits, particularly for digital logic applications like switches and amplifiers. In a typical switching circuit, a BJT alternates between cut-off and saturation modes, corresponding to the "off" and "on" states, respectively, thus behaving like an ideal switch.
Cut-off Mode ("Off" State): In this state, both the emitter-base and collector-base junctions are...
805
Metallic Solids02:37

Metallic Solids

20.5K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
20.5K
Structures of Solids02:22

Structures of Solids

17.5K
Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...
17.5K
Hybrid Zones02:29

Hybrid Zones

21.8K
Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.
21.8K
Molecular and Ionic Solids02:54

Molecular and Ionic Solids

19.9K
Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
19.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Electrical interface design for additively manufactured polymer anodes for biophotovoltaic systems.

Frontiers in microbiology·2026
Same author

Rapid Underwater Adhesion via Photo-Activated Chemically Cross-Linked Hybrid Network.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2026
Same author

Alginate cryogel beads for effectively aggregating nanoplastics for water remediation.

Communications chemistry·2025
Same author

Recent Advances in Conductive Rubber Composites: Progress, Challenges, and Emerging Opportunities.

Macromolecular rapid communications·2025
Same author

Solvent-Induced Triradial Pattern Formation on Solid-Supported Viscoelastic Thin Films and Gels.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2025
Same author

Nanochitin as a Strength-Enhancing Agent for Paper-Based Packaging Material.

ACS omega·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials
04:42

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials

Published on: February 26, 2021

5.0K

A hybrid material that reversibly switches between two stable solid states.

Fut Kuo Yang1, Aleksander Cholewinski2, Li Yu2,3

  • 1Department of Chemical Engineering, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, Institute for Polymer Research, Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. kuo.yang@uwaterloo.ca.

Nature Materials
|July 24, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a novel

More Related Videos

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials
05:20

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials

Published on: January 26, 2014

19.5K
Author Spotlight: A Stable Phantom Material for Optical and Acoustic Imaging
04:54

Author Spotlight: A Stable Phantom Material for Optical and Acoustic Imaging

Published on: June 16, 2023

3.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials
04:42

Bacterial Cellulose Spheres that Encapsulate Solid Materials

Published on: February 26, 2021

5.0K
Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials
05:20

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials

Published on: January 26, 2014

19.5K
Author Spotlight: A Stable Phantom Material for Optical and Acoustic Imaging
04:54

Author Spotlight: A Stable Phantom Material for Optical and Acoustic Imaging

Published on: June 16, 2023

3.7K

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry

Background:

  • Most materials exhibit a single stable solid state under given conditions.
  • Materials with multiple, switchable solid states offer significant technological potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To create a material with two distinct, reversible solid states under identical conditions.
  • To explore the potential of exploiting physical metastability for material design.

Main Methods:

  • Developing a polymer-impregnated supercooled salt solution (sal-gel).
  • Investigating the transition between soft and hard states via nucleation and heating.
  • Extending the concept to sugar alcohols to create sug-gels.

Main Results:

  • The sal-gel material exhibits two stable, reversible solid states (clear/soft and white/hard) between -90°C and 58°C.
  • The hard state is significantly stiffer (up to 10^4 times) than the soft state.
  • The transition is reversible, with the hard state softening upon heating.

Conclusions:

  • A novel 'two-in-one' solid material (sal-gel) has been successfully developed.
  • The material's reversible switching between distinct solid states is demonstrated.
  • Potential applications in soft robotics and adhesives are highlighted.