Editing 2856: Materials Scientists

{{w|Triboluminescence}} refers to a phenomenon where mechanically working on a material (in this case pulling on the tape) causes it to glow. Triboluminescence is still not well understood by materials scientists, so they may find such materials particularly appealing. One famous example comes from crushing Wint-O-Green Lifesavers mints, which creates [https://youtu.be/tW8q_JfmcbU particularly bright blue sparks] compared to other hard candies. Staying in the realm of wrapping, Scotch tape exhibits this property too, [https://www.technologyreview.com/2008/10/23/217918/x-rays-made-with-scotch-tape/ to a point where it can even be used as an x-ray]. Phosphors, not to be confused with the element {{w|Phosphorus}}, are substances that glow when exposed to some other, typically more energetic, form of radiation, and can be used to produce a desired glowing effect by taking less useful parts of the spectrum (e.g. beyond the visible, or in an unnecessary area of the visible one) and shifting that into more practical hues.  

{{w|Triboluminescence}} refers to a phenomenon where mechanically working on a material (in this case pulling on the tape) causes it to glow. Triboluminescence is still not well understood by materials scientists, so they may find such materials particularly appealing. One famous example comes from crushing Wint-O-Green Lifesavers mints, which creates [https://youtu.be/tW8q_JfmcbU particularly bright blue sparks] compared to other hard candies. Staying in the realm of wrapping, Scotch tape exhibits this property too, [https://www.technologyreview.com/2008/10/23/217918/x-rays-made-with-scotch-tape/ to a point where it can even be used as an x-ray]. Phosphors, not to be confused with the element {{w|Phosphorus}}, are substances that glow when exposed to some other, typically more energetic, form of radiation, and can be used to produce a desired glowing effect by taking less useful parts of the spectrum (e.g. beyond the visible, or in an unnecessary area of the visible one) and shifting that into more practical hues.  

The title text states that if a materials scientist gives you a gift, you should ask if regifting it requires any form of federal paperwork. This is because the materials scientist may have access to items which are dangerous and strictly regulated, such as {{w|polonium}} (an extremely radioactive element), {{w|fluoroantimonic acid}} (the strongest acid discovered), {{w|nitrogen triiodide}} (one of the most sensitive explosives in the world), and {{w|n-butyllithium}} (an extremely flammable, pyrophoric, and caustic compound). Other examples include materials regulated for military reasons under ITAR, possibly up to being considered sensitive or top secret, such as high tech fibers, composites or other such materials with applications for armor (covered under e.g. CFR, Title 22, § 121, Category XIII (e)), or basically anything that has use in rockets (e.g. § 121 Catergory XIII (d)) or stealth (e.g. § 121 Catergory XIII (g) and (j)). All of those are at least export restricted, and require federal paperwork to be regifted or sold.

The title text states that if a materials scientist gives you a gift, you should ask if regifting it requires any form of federal paperwork. This is because the materials scientist may have access to items which are dangerous and strictly regulated, such as {{w|polonium}} (an extremely radioactive element), {{w|fluoroantimonic acid}} (the strongest acid discovered), {{w|nitrogen triiodide}} (one of the most sensitive explosives in the world), and {{w|n-butyllithium}} (an extremely flammable, pyrophoric, and caustic compound). Other examples include materials regulated for military reasons under ITAR, possibly up to being considered sensitive or top secret, such as high tech fibers, composites or other such materials with applications for armor (covered under e.g. CFR, Title 22, § 121, Category XIII (e)), or basically anything that has use in rockets (e.g. § 121 Catergory XIII (d)) or stealth (e.g. § 121 Catergory XIII (g) and (j)). All of those are at least export restricted, and require federal paperwork to be regifted or sold.