Help with research material on quasicrystals

Thread starter cesaruelas
Start date Oct 30, 2011
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Material Research

In summary, quasicrystals are a type of solid material with a unique atomic structure that is both ordered and non-periodic. They differ from regular crystals in their non-repeating pattern and lack of rotational symmetry. Quasicrystals have potential applications in various industries due to their unique physical and mechanical properties. They are studied using techniques such as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, and can be either naturally occurring or synthetic.

Oct 30, 2011

cesaruelas

I have to write a small paper on quasicrystals... anyone know where I can find free-access books and scientific journal papers on this topic?

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Oct 31, 2011

Borek

Mentor

Have you checked links from the wikipedia article?

1. What are quasicrystals?

Quasicrystals are a type of solid material that have a unique atomic structure that is ordered, but not periodic. This means that they have a repeating pattern, but it is not a simple, regular pattern like other crystals.

2. How are quasicrystals different from regular crystals?

Regular crystals have a periodic, repeating pattern of atoms, while quasicrystals have a non-repeating, but still ordered, pattern. Regular crystals also have rotational symmetry, while quasicrystals have multiple axes of symmetry.

3. What are some potential applications of quasicrystals?

Quasicrystals have unique physical and mechanical properties, such as high strength and low friction, that make them useful in various industries. They have potential applications in technologies such as coatings, electronics, and even biomedical devices.

4. How are quasicrystals studied?

Scientists use various techniques such as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to study the atomic structure of quasicrystals. They also conduct experiments to measure their physical and mechanical properties.

5. Are quasicrystals naturally occurring or synthetic?

Both. Some quasicrystals have been found in nature, such as in certain types of meteorites. However, most quasicrystals are created in laboratories through controlled synthesis methods.