A curated library of k-type specifications for the Dataspace Management System (DSMS).
A k-type is a template that defines the structure, semantics, and relationships of Knowledge Items (k-items). Each specification is a single self-contained YAML file, portable across any DSMS instance.
New to k-types, the DSMS, or ontologies? Start with docs/1_concepts.md for a plain-language introduction.
Materials research data scattered across institutions and formats cannot be easily combined or queried. The DSMS addresses this by organising data as a structured network of typed records. K-types are the templates that give each record its type, its fields, its connections to other records, and its meaning in a shared vocabulary of materials science ontologies.
For a full description of the DSMS and the dataspace concept:
Nahshon, Y.; Morand, L.; Büschelberger, M.; Helm, D.; Kumaraswamy, K.; Zierep, P.; Weber, M.; de Andrés, P. (2025). Semantic Orchestration and Exploitation of Material Data: A Dataspace Solution Demonstrated on Steel and Copper Applications. Advanced Engineering Materials, 27(8), 2401448. https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202401448
k-types/
<k-type-id>/
README.md ← what this k-type is and how to use it
CHANGELOG.md ← version history
specs/
k-type.spec.yaml ← self-contained specification
docs/ ← optional usage examples
templates/
k-type.spec.yaml ← blank template for new k-type authors
docs/
1_concepts.md ← plain-language introduction to k-types, ontologies, and the DSMS
2_format.md ← field-by-field reference for k-type.spec.yaml
3_inheritance.md ← how inheritance and multiple inheritance work
CATALOG.md ← full registry with inheritance and relation graph
Browse CATALOG.md. The graph at the top shows inheritance and links between k-types at a glance; the table below lets you filter by ontology, semantic schema, or tag.
- Check CATALOG.md: does an existing k-type already cover your concept? If so,
consider extending it with
extendsrather than creating a new one. - Copy templates/k-type.spec.yaml into a new folder under
k-types/. - Read docs/2_format.md for a field-by-field reference.
- Open a New K-Type issue to discuss before submitting a pull request.
| Document | Content |
|---|---|
| docs/1_concepts.md | Plain-language introduction: what k-types are, what ontologies and knowledge graphs are, why this matters |
| docs/2_format.md | Field-by-field reference for k-type.spec.yaml |
| docs/3_inheritance.md | Inheritance mechanics, multiple inheritance, merge rules |
| Project | Role |
|---|---|
| semantic-schemas | Structured data recording templates referenced by k-types |
| DSMS | The knowledge management system that consumes k-types |
| PMDCo | Platform MaterialDigital Core Ontology |
K-type specifications are published under CC BY 4.0. You may use, adapt, and redistribute them freely, including for commercial purposes, as long as you give appropriate credit.