nanocrystallineadj.
/ˌnanə(ʊ)ˈkrɪstəlʌɪn/, /ˌnanə(ʊ)ˈkrɪstl̩ʌɪn/, U.S. /ˌnænoʊˈkrɪstəl(ə)n/, /ˌnænoʊˈkrɪstəˌlaɪn/ Materials Science.
Composed of crystalline grains with dimensions of a few nanometres; spec. designating a nanophase material.
ΚΠ
1984 Physics Lett. A. 102 365/2 Pure iron was crystallized as nanocrystalline powder (‘Fe-black’) in a 99.9996% helium atmosphere.
1988 Nature 10 Mar. 112/3 Examination by X-ray diffraction of nanocrystalline gold shows that the intergranular material is gas-like rather than glass-like—there is no short-range order.
1991 Acta Metallurgica et Materialia 34 2825/1 They exhibit strength/filament size characteristics similar to vapor deposited nanocrystalline materials.
2000 New Scientist 27 May 82/1 (advt.) Particularly attractive areas include..carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, nanoparticulate and nanocrystalline materials, and nanofabricated electronic materials and devices.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1984