Chemical Engineering Glossary

verb to make or become rough or harsh in texture or quality

• The fabric will coarsen if washed in hot water.
• Don't use that detergent, it will coarsen the material.
• Stop scrubbing so hard, you're just gonna coarsen the surface.
• His harsh words only served to coarsen their relationship.

noun a liquid fossil fuel

• The price of crude oil has been fluctuating due to global demand and supply factors.
• I heard that the cost of crude oil is going up again.
• They struck it rich when they hit a gusher of crude oil on their land.
• His emotions were like crude oil, bubbling up to the surface uncontrollably.

noun a process of coating a metal object with a thin layer of another metal by electrolysis

• Electroplating is a process of coating an object with a thin layer of metal using an electric current.
• I learned how to do electroplating in my chemistry class.
• Some people call electroplating 'metal plating'.
• His kindness acted as a form of electroplating, adding a layer of warmth to the cold situation.

noun the act or process of percolating or filtering

• The process of percolation is crucial in studying the flow of liquids through porous materials.
• I learned about percolation in my science class - it's like how coffee drips through a filter.
• I can't believe how fast that gossip percolated through the office!
• Ideas percolate in my mind before I finally come up with a solution.

noun a tiny opening in the skin or a surface

verb to read or study carefully or intently

• She used a magnifying glass to examine every pore on the skin sample.
• I can't believe how big the pores on my nose are!
• Her skincare routine really helps minimize her pores.
• He pored over the details of the contract before signing it.

noun a person or thing that stabilizes, such as a substance added to a product to prevent separation or deterioration

• The stabilizer is an essential component in the aircraft's control system.
• Make sure you tighten the stabilizer before takeoff.
• I heard they added a new stabilizer to the car for better handling.
• Learning to cope with stress can act as a stabilizer in one's life.

noun a type of polymer formed by the addition of monomers through a chemical reaction

adjective describing the type of polymer formed through addition polymerization

• An addition polymer is a type of polymer formed by the addition of monomers without the loss of any atoms.
• Hey, did you know that addition polymers are made by adding monomers together?
• Addition polymers are like when you mix a bunch of stuff together to make a new material.
• Think of addition polymers as a recipe where you keep adding ingredients until you get the final product.

verb to introduce air into a substance, typically by stirring or shaking

• The aerated water was refreshing on a hot summer day.
• I love the bubbly taste of aerated drinks.
• Let's grab some fizzy aerated beverages for the party.
• Her mind felt aerated after a long meditation session.