Materials Bonding at the Atomic Level

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101007171413.htm

I read the article from above and learned these four things:

1- Atomic bonds dictate characteristics of an element or compound, such as melting point, hardness, or transparency.

2- It is possible to influence the assembly process of silicon crystals by applying strain as the bonds are forming.

3- Straining these bonds can affect an element or compound's chemical reactivity greatly, and that in turn will also cause the structure of the element/compound to change.

4- Using this method of straining the crystals in one way or another can prove to make silicon and silicon products much more efficient in the future, when more extensive research will be done.