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		John Klepeis contributed to a recent report on the compressibility of osmium. The equation of state was measured in a diamond-anvil cell and it was found that osmium has an even lower compressibility than diamond, the previous record holder. First principles calculations confirmed that osmium has the lowest compressibility (highest bulk modulus) among the transition metals. A large bulk modulus is often correlated with mechanical hardness and therefore this result suggests alternative strategies in the search for superhard materials. In the past most of these efforts have focused on modifications of the strong covalent bonds in diamond. New efforts could now examine potential candidates among transition metal compounds and alloys.

		Osmium Diamond Anvil Cell Experiment
		Further information can be found using the links below:
		Original journal article: H. Cynn, J. E. Klepeis, C.-S. Yoo, and D. A. Young, "Osmium has the lowest experimentally determined compressibility," Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 135701 (2002).
		Physical Review Focus story: J. R. Minkel, "Osmium is stiffer than diamond," Physical Review Focus, March 27, 2002.
		Science News story: P. Weiss, "Osmium is forever: rare metal's strength humbles mighty diamond's," Science News 161(April 6, 2002):14.
		Metals and Alloys Physicists are participating in the Materials Research Institute Computational Materials Science and Chemistry Summer Institute. This program offers graduate students the opportunity to work with a host scientist at LLNL, to attend lecture courses given by some of the top computational scientists from LLNL and universities and to participate in a variety of activities as a group. Each student also receives a substantial stipend and funds to cover travel expenses. The deadline for application is March 1 each year.
		This page contains links to recent Science & Technology and other newsworthy articles featuring the Metals and Alloys Group
		Metals & Alloys \| Condensed Matter Physics \| Physics & Adv. Tech. \| LLNL Maintained by Robert E. Rudd -- Last updated on 30 May 2002. UCRL-WEB-229431