Quick start

MatSci-SAM (Semantic Alignment and Standardization) is a collaborative dictionary for materials science terminology. Contributors publish definitions, compare alternatives, and record their discussion and revisions.

To participate in a study, begin from the study link. Study help explains the controls inside the activity. The study guide covers joining and saved progress. Contributions outside the activity do not complete study steps.

Sign in

Select Login and choose an available sign-in method. Use the same account as before to retain your contributions and memberships. Anyone can read the dictionary. You need an account to contribute, vote, or comment.

Account access covers email, Google, and linked ORCID iDs.

Add a term

Open Contribute and check the destination vocabulary shown on the form. Enter the term and a definition. Name the broader class, then the distinguishing characteristics. You may also add an example of use.

Draft with a language model generates an editable definition. Review it before selecting Publish new term. A published model draft credits you and the named model. An example you write receives separate attribution.

Use the existing term page for further contributions when the term is already defined. Adding a term explains the available actions.

Compare the definitions

A term can have several competing definitions. The highest-scoring definition appears first on the term page and is labeled canonical. Vote arrows support or oppose the current revision. Select the same arrow again to withdraw your vote.

The proposed, community-reviewed, and stable labels summarize vote scores. Assess the wording and discussion to judge scientific quality. Community review and revisions explains scores and ordering.

Comment on a definition

Use the comment box to discuss a definition. Each comment records the revision shown when you posted it.

Ask for a revision

Select Suggest a revision on a current definition. Explain what should change, request a model draft, and edit the result. Publish revision creates a separate candidate linked to the source revision and credited to you and the model. Discard draft publishes nothing.

The action is also available in Discussion and study Position steps. AI-assisted suggestions gives the steps.

Replace or illustrate a definition

Propose a replacement publishes a candidate you write and identifies the definition it should supersede. Both remain available for comparison.

Add example contributes a usage example to a definition. The definition page lists all examples. One featured example appears in compact views. An example change leaves the definition revision and votes unchanged.

Follow the record

Open Provenance on a term page for its contribution timeline and graph. The record includes revisions, comments, vote events, examples, and published AI-assisted work. It is also available as W3C PROV-O data.

Cite a revision link to identify exact definition text. A definition link follows later edits. Identifiers and citation explains the choices and Provenance describes the recorded history.

Where to go next

Use the user guide for a specific task and the knowledge organization reference for the metadata model.