Phase instability induced by polar nanoregions in a relaxor ferroelectric system
Relaxor ferroelectrics, which show a strong dependence of electric polarization on the applied electric field, are promising for applications such as sensors and actuators. Neutron-scattering experiments now establish a direct link between the unique piezoelectric properties of relaxors and local clusters of randomly oriented polarization specific to these materials.
Democrat Barack Obama's appeal to  centrist voters has further opened the door to Republican claims his message of change only applies to the positions he has taken in the past.
AP - Iran indicated Saturday that it has no plans to meet a key Western demand that it stop enriching uranium, a day after Tehran sent the European Union a response to an international offer of incentives for halting enrichment.
AP - The call girl involved in a scandal that brought down New York's former governor has dropped a lawsuit claiming "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis exploited her image and name on the Internet.
