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Nature Materials 7, 838–839 (1 November 2008) | doi:10.1038/nmat2314

Ionic conductors: Feel the strain

John A. Kilner

In 1897, Nernst discovered that he could improve the high-temperature electrical conductivity of oxides by making certain mixtures. He used these mixtures to patent the first practical application of oxygen ion conductors, an incandescent lamp filament which became known as the 'Nernst Glower'.