Atom Movement in Materials

Abstract

Diffusion is the movement of atoms within a material. Atoms move in a predictable fashion to eliminate concentration differences and produce a homogeneous, uniform composition. Movement of atoms is required for many of the treatments that we perform on materials. Diffusion is required for the heat treatment of metals, the manufacture of ceramics, the solidification of materials, the manufacture of transistors and solar cells, and the electrical conductivity of many ceramic materials. By understanding how mass is transferred by diffusion, we can design materials processing techniques, leak-proof devices, or even purification equipment.