Quasicrystals

Quasicrystals are a unique state of solid matter exhibiting an ordered structure that repeats in a pattern without the traditional periodicity of regular crystals. Unlike ordinary crystals with symmetrical, repeating units, quasicrystals display complex arrangements that never exactly repeat but still have a form of long-range order. This structure results in unusual properties, such as non-standard symmetries and resistance to deformation. Discovered in the 1980s, quasicrystals challenge the traditional view of crystallinity and have potential applications in coatings, alloys, and nanotechnology due to their distinctive physical characteristics.