Micro-structure of ceramic, polymer and composite material Assignment

Micro-structure of ceramic, polymer and composite material - Assignment Example According to Whitney (2000), ceramic structures come in a variety and each structure has its own unique properties. For instance, some are very high thermal conductors while some don’t conduct heat at all but they possess other properties. Micro structures of Ceramics also vary in nature as some are pure glass, some crystalline and others are a combination of the two. Ceramics with glassy structures have properties that differ from metallic structures, and the difference in these properties is the atomic structure of the glass (Russell, 2009). Silica is the most common products that makeup glass where when it is fused together then placed in cold temperatures; the glass is formed. The main advantage of ceramic glass is its ability to be made into different shapes when it is still a soft plastic. Ceramics in crystalline form have the metallic and non-metallic atoms which should be balanced for the crystals to be made. During the crystallization, the arrangements in ions mainly determine the manner in which cells will be arranged. Whitney (2000) outlines that crystal structures are neutral in nature and the structures are closely parked together. These ceramics combines the properties of other materials to create a complete product, and they are hard in nature and mechanically stable. According to (Russell, 2009) Nitride ceramics are mainly used to cut wood materials due to their hardness. The process of making nitride ceramics is an irreversible process because of the arrangement in the lattices that are interchangeable. One of the main disadvantages of ceramics is the presence of impurities in the metals, and this affects its formation. There are also some defects that affect the neutrality of the atoms and these defects are, as a result displacement of atoms from their positions, therefore, creating a vacuum. Other shortcomings of ceramics are the formation of solids that lack clear chemical formulae due to their

A Culture of Poverty Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

A Culture of Poverty - Term Paper Example It seems Americans enjoy utilizing, or perhaps taking advantage of, low-wage laborers. Communities of middle- and upper-class American citizens where use of service labor is popular, even mandatory to sustain current living conditions, conveyed a high level of discrimination for the very group of individuals that allow them to maintain their lifestyle. Kristen H. Maher (p. 781-806) reported the responses of several interviews conducted with residents and laborers in an upscale community in Irvine, California. The community population was made up of 90 percent Caucasian and 10 percent Asian homeowners in the Ridgewood community of South County in Irvine. Statements made by homeowners were borderline appalling when they described their feelings about Latino service employees—even those who were actual residents due to a live-in type of a situation—utilizing facilities such as the neighborhood pool and park intended for use by residents. The overall sentiment was the homeo wners only felt comfortable when these workers were using the facilities with the homeowners’ children present. For example, if a nanny was swimming with the children he or she cared for, it was acceptable for the nanny to be at the pool. Alone, it was â€Å"taboo† for the nanny to use the facility alone (Maher). While the regulations of the community were not written, it seems a posting was unnecessary. Their sentiments were felt by the Latinos; those workers who were interviewed shared their uneasiness about using the facilities, even when the children were present, much less going about the neighborhood on their own or with their own families. A couple of the community members said they did not have a problem with their nanny utilizing the facilities, but would probably have concern for anyone the employee would bring into the neighborhood (i.e. family members, friends, etc.) that may pose a potential threat to the safety of the community (Maher). Furthermore, the r esidents of Ridgewood voiced a strong desire to have a gate installed around the property to keep out the â€Å"riff-raff† that they perceive to be nearing their community from outlying areas such as Santa Ana, California, and even North County, where most of the laborers resided (Maher). The opinion of the laborers was that they were â€Å"good,† but it is the unknown that these individuals fear. Since the nanny is working, he or she is considered to be a â€Å"good guy,† and all others may or may not want to cause problems for the community. The residents wish to remain unscathed from the perceived dangers that lurk closer and closer to Irvine—specifically Ridgewood (Maher). However, what the residents of Ridgewood and many others, who oppose immigration, are failing to recognize is the fact that due to their low wages, these Latinos are unable to lift themselves above the poverty line. They are forced to move closer to their places of employment (i.e. Ridgewood, and other predominantly Caucasian neighborhoods), in order to cut as much cost associated with commuting as possible so what little of their income is left can be used to support their families. Alejandra Marchevsky and Jeanne Theoharis authored a book entitled Not Working: Latina Immigrants, Low-Wage Jobs, and the Failure of Welfare Reform. In the book, they explore the life of a single, Latin-American woman, Myrna Cardenas, who is struggling to make ends meet in order to provide for her three children. Myrna is no different from the service laborers discussed by Maher. She is working two