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van der Waals

American  
[van-der wawlz, wahlz] / ˈvæn dər ˌwɔlz, ˌwɑlz /

noun

  1. Johannes Diderik, 1837–1923, Dutch theoretical physicist; Nobel Prize 1910.


adjective

  1. Also van der Waals'. of or relating to the equation or forces associated with the work of Johannes van der Waals.

van der Waals British  
/ vɑn dər ˈwaːls /

noun

  1. Johannes Diderik (joːˈhɑnəs ˈdiːdərik). 1837–1923, Dutch physicist, noted for his research on the equations of state of gases and liquids: Nobel prize for physics in 1910

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

van der Waals Scientific  
/ văndərwôlz′ /
  1. Dutch physicist who accounted for many phenomena concerning gases and liquids by postulating the existence of intermolecular forces and a finite molecular volume. He derived a new equation of state for gases and liquids (now named for him), and for this work he received the 1910 Nobel Prize for physics.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This can be covalent bonds, hydrogen bridge bonds, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2024

The team in Würzburg is now focused on identifying more van der Waals materials that can serve as protective layers -- and they already have a few prospects in mind.

From Science Daily • Mar. 1, 2024

Now that they have demonstrated room-temperature switching and greater energy efficiency, the researchers plan to keep pushing the performance of magnetic van der Waals materials.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024

By contrast, van der Waals magnetic materials are intrinsically layered and structured in such a way that the surface remains perfectly smooth, even as researchers peel off layers to make thinner devices.

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024

"Our device is also more energy efficient than other van der Waals magnets that are unable to switch at room temperature."

From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2024