quasicrystal

[ kwey-zahy-kris-tl, kwey-sahy‑, kwah-see‑, ‑zee‑ ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a form of solid matter whose atoms are arranged like those of a crystal but assume patterns that do not exactly repeat themselves.

First recorded in 1985–90

There was now a vast new world of possibilities with its own set of rules, which we named quasicrystals.

In quasicrystals, however, different groups repeat at distinct intervals.

Franke also wondered if quasicrystals could have practical uses.

By scattering X-rays through it, the researchers revealed that the material had a type of symmetry found only in quasicrystals.

This means quasicrystals can have properties that are forbidden for normal crystals.

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