The study of materials with useful electronic and magnetic properties for applications in electronics, data storage, and telecommunications.
Atomic and crystal structure: This includes the study of the arrangement of atoms and crystals in a material and their influence on the material's properties.
Solid-state physics: This includes the study of the behavior of materials at the atomic and electronic level, including topics such as band structure, defects, and doping.
Semiconductor materials: This includes the study of materials such as silicon and germanium, which have electrical conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator.
Magnetic materials: This includes the study of materials that exhibit magnetic properties such as ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and diamagnetism.
Superconductors: This includes the study of materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance when they are cooled below a certain temperature.
Dielectric materials: This includes the study of materials that can store electrical charge and be used in capacitors.
Optical materials: This includes the study of materials that interact with light, including topics such as refractive index, absorption, and optical properties.
Nanomaterials: This includes the study of materials that have structures and properties that occur at the nanoscale.
Polymers: This includes the study of materials made up of long chains of repeating molecular units.
Corrosion and degradation: This includes the study of how materials degrade over time due to environmental factors such as exposure to moisture, heat, and chemicals.
Ferromagnetic materials: Exhibit strong magnetic properties and can maintain a permanent magnetic state.
Ferrimagnetic materials: Possess magnetic moments that are antiparallel to each other, causing some magnetization while exhibiting low coercive force.
Antiferromagnetic materials: Have neighboring magnetic moments that are antiparallel and cancel each other out; therefore, they exhibit a zero net magnetic moment.
Diamagnetic materials: Lack magnetic moments and are repelled from a magnetic field.
Paramagnetic materials: Exhibit attraction towards magnetic fields but do not retain magnetization.
Superconductors: Materials that exhibit zero electrical resistance at a specific temperature.
Semiconductors: Materials that have conductivity between that of a conductor and an insulator, making them ideal for electronics.
Piezoelectric materials: Generate electricity when subjected to mechanical stress or vibrations.
Electrostrictive materials: Contract or expand when in an electric field.
Magnetic shape memory alloys: Exhibit a change in shape when exposed to a magnetic field.
Dilute magnetic semiconductors: Semiconductors that also exhibit magnetism, making them useful for magnetic storage devices.
Magnetoresistive materials: Exhibit a change in electrical resistance when exposed to a magnetic field.
High-k dielectric materials: Have high dielectric constants and are used in electronic devices to increase capacitance.
Quantum dots: Nanoparticles that exhibit unique electronic and magnetic properties and are used in high-resolution optical and electronic devices.
Optoelectronic materials: Materials that exhibit both electronic and optical properties.
Transparent conductive materials: Materials that are both transparent and conductive, making them useful in touch screens, solar cells, and other electronic devices.
Magnetic nanoparticles: Nanoparticles that exhibit magnetic properties and are used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and drug delivery systems.
Magnetic fluids: Liquids that contain suspended magnetic particles and are used in dampers, seals, and bearings.
Magnetic tape: Tape that is coated with a magnetic material and used for data storage.
Magnetic coatings: Coatings that are applied to surfaces to provide magnetic properties, used in sensors, motors, and other electronic devices.