Materials Science Jargon

verb to become or cause to become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution

• The process of dissolving a solid into a liquid is known as dissolution.
• I love watching sugar dissolving in my coffee.
• I can't believe how fast that argument dissolved into chaos.
• Their friendship started dissolving after the betrayal.

adjective relating to or characterized by constant change or movement

• The chemist studied the fluxional behavior of the molecule under different conditions.
• I heard that the professor is researching something called fluxional properties in chemistry.
• I have no idea what fluxional even means, do you?
• The fluxional nature of the political landscape made it difficult to predict the outcome of the election.

adjective resembling or similar to hair in appearance or texture

• Under the microscope, the sample revealed hairlike structures that were difficult to distinguish.
• The plant's roots had these hairlike things sticking out everywhere.
• I can't stand it when my hair gets all tangled up and starts looking all hairlike.
• Her attention to detail was like a hairlike thread weaving through every aspect of her work.

noun a value that is not able to be measured or compared accurately

adjective not proportionate; inadequate or insufficient

• The measurements of the two objects were incommensurate, making it difficult to compare them accurately.
• Their salaries were incommensurate with the amount of work they were expected to do.
• The prices at that store are totally incommensurate with the quality of their products.
• The distance between them seemed incommensurate with the closeness of their relationship.

verb to combine or bring together different elements to form a coherent whole

• Scientists use advanced technology to synthesize new compounds in the lab.
• I heard they can synthesize a cure for that disease in the research lab.
• I can totally synthesize a playlist for the party tonight.
• She was able to synthesize all the information and come up with a solution to the problem.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The box was as heavy as lead, making it difficult to lift.
• I tried to pick up the bag but it was as heavy as lead.
• That backpack is as heavy as lead, dude.
• The news weighed on her heart as heavy as lead.

noun a complex substance composed of fat cells and cellulose fibers

• Adipocellulose is a type of tissue that contains both fat cells and connective tissue.
• I heard that adipocellulose is what makes up those stubborn love handles.
• Hey, did you know that adipocellulose is sometimes called 'flubber'?
• Her heart felt heavy, like it was made of adipocellulose instead of muscle.