QUASI-CRYSTALS - SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
News: Scientists
discover new ‘quasicrystal’ in Nebraska, US: What are quasicrystals?
What's in the news?
● Scientists
have discovered a new type of quasicrystal, one with 12-fold symmetry, in the Sand Hills of north central Nebraska, USA,
according to a recent study.
● It
said that this quasicrystal was formed during an accidental electrical discharge, possibly by a lightning strike or
a downed power line in a dune.
Quasi-crystals:
● Quasicrystal
is essentially a crystal-like substance. However, unlike a crystal, in which atoms are
arranged in a repeating pattern, a quasicrystal consists of atoms that are
arranged in a pattern that doesn’t
repeat itself regularly.
Discovery:
● In
1982, the material scientist Dan
Shechtman discovered crystal structures that are mathematically regular,
but that do not repeat themselves.
● For
his discovery, he was awarded a Nobel
Prize in Chemistry in 2011.
Usage:
● Since
their discovery, quasicrystals have been widely created in labs and known to
possess novel electrical, photonic, and
mechanical properties that aren’t found in other materials, making them an
attractive prospect for materials scientists.
● They
are used in manufacturing non-stick
frying pans, needles for acupuncture and surgery, dental instruments and
razor blades.