Crystal phenomena as a research area investigates the physical behaviors and properties that arise from the ordered atomic or molecular arrangements in crystalline solids, including symmetry-governed effects and defect-related responses. It encompasses studies of phase transitions, lattice dynamics, crystallographic defects (dislocations, vacancies, interfaces), anisotropic mechanical, thermal, and electronic behavior, as well as optical and dielectric responses governed by crystal symmetry and band structure. The field integrates experimental techniques such as X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, and spectroscopies with theoretical and computational methods to elucidate structure–property relationships, enabling the design and control of functional materials in electronics, photonics, mechanics, and quantum technologies.
Researchers have developed a technique whereby they can spontaneously encapsulate microscopic droplets of water and oil emulsion in a tiny sphere made of salt crystals—sort of like a minute, self-constructing origami soccer ...
Nanomaterials
Nov 5, 2021
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87
Researchers led by Edwin Fohtung, an associate professor of materials science and engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, have developed a new technique for revealing defects in nanostructured vanadium oxide, a widely ...
Nanomaterials
Oct 14, 2021
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111
In a new report on Science Advances, Fenghui Duan and a research team in China detailed continuous strengthening in nanotwinned pure Nickel materials. The material recorded an unprecedented strength of 4.0 GPa at extremely ...
Graphite, as an important material for Li battery anode and graphene preparation, can exist in two phases: the Bernal (2H) phase and the rhombohedral (3R) phase. The 2H phase has relatively low energy and high proportion ...
Nanomaterials
Aug 12, 2021
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615
Researchers at ETH have managed to produce nanocrystals made of two different metals using an amalgamation process whereby a liquid metal penetrates a solid one. This new and surprisingly intuitive technique makes it possible ...
Nanomaterials
Aug 5, 2021
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1394
We might imagine crystals to be perfect structures, but they are, in fact, often plagued with "defects." Curiously enough, such defects often appear due to atoms undergoing reorganization to lower the energy of the system ...
Nanomaterials
Jul 28, 2021
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166
Crystallization is one of the most fundamental processes found in nature—and it's what gives minerals, gems, metals, and even proteins their structure.
Nanomaterials
Jun 29, 2021
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139
When two similar atomic layers with mismatching lattice constants—the constant distance between a layer's unit cells—and/or orientation are stacked together, the resulting bilayer can exhibit a moiré pattern and form a moiré ...
Nanophysics
Jun 14, 2021
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168
