The act or process of emitting or producing small, explosive sounds, often as a result of a malfunction or irregular operation.
The sputtering of the engine indicated that there might be a problem with the fuel line.
A thin film deposition process used in manufacturing, where particles are ejected from a solid target material due to bombardment of the target by energetic particles.
Sputtering is commonly used in the production of semiconductors and other electronic components.
sputteringgerund / present participle
Making a series of explosive or spitting sounds.
The sputtering engine struggled to climb the steep hill.
Proceeding in a sporadic or irregular manner.
Their sputtering efforts eventually coalesced into a coherent plan.
Relating to, designed for, or operating by means of thin-film sputter deposition.
The new sputtering reactor can deposit uniform metal coatings on glass substrates.
sputterverb
To make a series of soft explosive sounds, typically as a result of a malfunction or irregular operation.
The old car began to sputter and stall as it climbed the steep hill.
To speak in a hasty or confused way, often as a result of being upset or angry.
He began to sputter in disbelief when he heard the unexpected news.
To eject small particles or droplets of liquid or other substances in a series of small bursts.
The frying pan began to sputter hot oil as the bacon cooked.
In physics, to eject atoms from a solid surface by striking it with energetic particles, typically in a vacuum.
The target material is sputtered onto the wafer to form a conductive layer.
sputtergerund / present participle
Characterized by intermittent popping or spitting sounds, or by irregular, faltering activity.
A sputtering engine finally gave out by the side of the road.