Recently, scientists have identified a third natural source of quasicrystals located in the Sand Hills of north-central Nebraska, USA. These remarkable materials have unique properties that make them a subject of great interest to researchers.
Understanding Quasicrystals
Quasicrystals are divergent materials that showcase an extraordinary blend of properties. They stand as an exquisite example of the splendor and potency of anomaly in nature. The atomic organization of these substances has no systematic repetition unlike their traditional counterparts.
Comparison with Traditional Crystals
Diverging from repetitively structured traditional crystals like common salt crystals or Sodium chloride (NaCl), quasicrystals manifest atoms arranged at uneven intervals. Specifically, common salt adopts a cubic pattern due to its chemical and physical properties, optimizing factors such as density and thermal stability. In contrast, quasicrystals deviate from this cubic structure resulting in less optimal formations. This uncommon arrangement marks quasicrystals as a distinctive representation of irregularity’s power. Significantly, the atomic lattice structure of quasicrystals still retains traces of some stress event.
Uses of Quasicrystals
The distinctive properties of quasicrystals have made them useful in various applications. These include the manufacture of non-stick frying pans, surgical needles and acupuncture needles, dental tools, and razor blades.
Discovery of Quasicrystals
American-Israeli scientist Dan Shechtman discovered quasicrystals in 1982 during laboratory experiments. His pioneering work earned him the 2011 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The first naturally occurring quasicrystal was found in 2009 within the Khatyrka meteorite in Russia. This meteorite is believed to have endured numerous space collisions over millions of years, which subjected it to extreme heat and pressure.
Creating Quasicrystals in Labs
These severe conditions inspired physicists to simulate these conditions, resulting in the creation of new quasicrystals through a process termed as “shock synthesis”. In 2021, another quasicrystal was identified within the remnants of the first-ever detonated atomic weapon, the Trinity test of the Manhattan Project. This discovery suggests that intense, fiery environments such as those witnessed by the Khatyrka meteorite and during the Trinity test serve as the breeding ground for natural quasicrystals.
The discovery of the third natural source of quasicrystals in Nebraska further underscores their unique nature and the variety of extreme conditions under which they can form. As research continues, scientists hope to further unveil the secrets of these irregular yet powerful natural substances.