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Related Concept Videos

Unit Cells01:18

Unit Cells

A crystal's internal structure is an orderly array of atoms, ions, or molecules, and the details of this array significantly influence the solid's properties. In a crystal, periodically repeating 'structural motifs' - which could be atoms, molecules, or groups thereof - create a 'space lattice.' This is essentially a three-dimensional, infinite array of points, each surrounded by its neighbors in an identical way, forming the basic structure of the crystal.A 'unit cell' is a theoretical...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes02:58

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
Ionic Crystal Structures02:42

Ionic Crystal Structures

Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
The Seven Crystal Systems: Overview01:24

The Seven Crystal Systems: Overview

Crystals with various point group symmetries belong to different crystal classes, which are synonymous terms. Despite being in the same class, crystals may have distinct shapes, like cubes and octahedra. There are 32 three-dimensional point groups, all of which are systematically divided into seven crystal systems.The basic cubic crystal system, exemplified by NaCl, features orthogonal vectors (α = β = �� = 90°) of equal lengths (a = b = c). When specific requirements are not imposed on the...
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects01:26

Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects

Schottky defects arise when some lattice points in a crystal, such as those in NaCl, remain unoccupied, creating lattice vacancies without disturbing the overall electrical neutrality of the crystal. This defect is common in ionic crystals where the positive and negative ions are similar in size, as seen in sodium chloride and cesium chloride. The presence of Schottky defects enables the crystal to conduct electricity to a small extent through an ionic mechanism. Electric fields cause nearby...
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Non-Stoichiometric Defects01:29

Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Non-Stoichiometric Defects

Non-stoichiometric defects refer to a type of defect in the crystal structure of a compound where the ratio of its constituent elements deviates from the ideal stoichiometric ratio. There are two main types of non-stoichiometric defects: metal excess defects and metal deficiency defects.Metal excess defects occur when there is a slight surplus of metal ions than what is required by the stoichiometric ratio of the compound. For example, heating a sodium chloride crystal in sodium vapor results...

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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Preparation of Macroporous Epitaxial Quartz Films on Silicon by Chemical Solution Deposition
07:37

Preparation of Macroporous Epitaxial Quartz Films on Silicon by Chemical Solution Deposition

Published on: December 21, 2015

Natural quasicrystals.

Luca Bindi1, Paul J Steinhardt, Nan Yao

  • 1Museo di Storia Naturale, Sezione di Mineralogia, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze I-50121, Italy.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|June 6, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Naturally occurring quasicrystals, solids with forbidden symmetries, have been discovered. This aluminum, copper, and iron alloy suggests quasicrystals can form and remain stable under geologic conditions.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Mineralogy
  • Crystallography

Background:

  • Quasicrystals possess unique atomic arrangements with symmetries, such as fivefold symmetry, not found in periodic crystals.
  • Previously, all known quasicrystals were synthesized exclusively in laboratory settings.
  • The study of quasicrystal formation and stability is crucial for understanding exotic material states.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the discovery of a naturally occurring quasicrystal.
  • To characterize the structure and composition of this natural quasicrystal.
  • To investigate the implications of natural quasicrystal formation for geological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Mineralogical analysis of samples from the Koryak Mountains, Russia.
  • Identification of quasicrystalline phases using techniques sensitive to atomic structure and symmetry.
  • Chemical analysis to determine the elemental composition of the quasicrystal and associated minerals.

Main Results:

  • Evidence of a naturally occurring icosahedral quasicrystal with six distinct fivefold symmetry axes.
  • The mineral is an alloy of aluminum, copper, and iron.
  • It occurs as micrometer-sized grains alongside crystalline khatyrkite and cupalite.

Conclusions:

  • This discovery provides the first evidence of a quasicrystal forming and persisting under natural geologic conditions.
  • The findings challenge previous assumptions about the exclusive synthetic origin of quasicrystals.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the specific natural processes responsible for the formation of this unique mineral.