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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
11:11
Experimental Methods for Investigation of Shape Memory Based Elastocaloric Cooling Processes and Model Validation
Published on: May 2, 2016
Pentagonal and icosahedral order in rapidly cooled metals
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|July 19, 1985
Summary
Researchers discovered an aluminum-manganese alloy with icosahedral symmetry, challenging traditional crystallography. This unique material exhibits properties similar to Penrose tiles, opening new avenues in materials science.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Crystallography
- Solid-State Physics
Background:
- A novel aluminum-manganese alloy exhibiting icosahedral symmetry has been discovered.
- The observed symmetry is intrinsic to the material, not an artifact of twinning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between experimental observations and theoretical models.
- To discuss the implications of this discovery for crystallography.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Bragg diffraction spots.
- Comparison of experimental data with aperiodic tiling concepts (Penrose tiles).
- Phenomenological descriptions using incommensurate density waves.
Main Results:
- Confirmation of intrinsic icosahedral symmetry in the aluminum-manganese alloy.
- Strong correlation between observed diffraction patterns and Penrose tiling principles.
- Potential description of the alloy as a superposition of incommensurate density waves.
Conclusions:
- The aluminum-manganese alloy represents a significant departure from conventional crystallography.
- The findings suggest a link between quasicrystals and aperiodic structures.
- Further research into exotic crystallographic forms is warranted.
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