科技英语：物质相变的过程比想象中复杂

The seemingly simple process of phase changes -- those transitions between states of matter -- is more complex than previously1 known, according to research based at Princeton University, Peking University and New York University. Their study, which
appears in the journal Science, reveals the need to rethink one of science's building blocks and, with it, how some of the basic principles underlying2 the behavior of matter are taught in our classrooms. The researchers examined the way that a phase change, specifically the melting of a solid, occurs at a microscopic3 level and discovered that the transition is far more involved than earlier models had accounted for.
"This research shows that phase changes can follow multiple pathways, which is counter to what we've previously known," explains Mark Tuckerman, a professor of chemistry and applied4 mathematics at New York University and one of the study's co-authors. "This means the simple theories about phase transitions that we teach in classes are just not right."
According to Tuckerman, scientists will need to change the way they think of and teach on phase changes.
The work stems from a 10-year project at Princeton to develop a mathematical framework and computer algorithms to study complex behavior in systems, explained senior author Weinan E, a professor in Princeton's Department of Mathematics and Program in Applied and Computational Mathematics. Phase changes proved to be a crucial test case for their algorithm, E said. E and Tuckerman worked with Amit Samanta, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton now at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Tang-Qing Yu, a postdoctoral researcher at NYU's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
"It was a test case for the rather powerful set of tools that we have developed to study hard questions about complex phenomena5 such as phase transitions," E said. "The melting of a relatively6 simple atomic solid such as a metal, proved to be enormously rich. With the understanding we have gained from this case, we next aim to probe more complex molecular7 solids such as ice."
词汇表：
1 previously
adv.以前，先前（地）
参考例句：
The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。

Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

2 underlying
adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的
参考例句：
The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。

This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

3 microscopic
adj.微小的，细微的，极小的，显微的
参考例句：
It's impossible to read his microscopic handwriting.不可能看清他那极小的书写字迹。

A plant's lungs are the microscopic pores in its leaves.植物的肺就是其叶片上微细的气孔。

4 applied
adj.应用的；v.应用，适用
参考例句：
She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。

This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

5 phenomena
n.现象
参考例句：
Ade couldn't relate the phenomena with any theory he knew.艾德无法用他所知道的任何理论来解释这种现象。

The object of these experiments was to find the connection,if any,between the two phenomena.这些实验的目的就是探索这两种现象之间的联系，如果存在着任何联系的话。

6 relatively
adv.比较...地，相对地
参考例句：
The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。

The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

7 molecular
adj.分子的；克分子的
参考例句：
The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。

For the pressure to become zero, molecular bombardment must cease.当压强趋近于零时，分子的碰撞就停止了。

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