New Methods for Transforming Crystal Structures Could Impact High-Tech Applications

Many of the common materials we encounter in our daily lives are crystalline, including ice, salt and sugar. The crystal structures of some solids are formed from molecules arranged in simple geometric patterns, and these patterns can be changed to give the solids special properties required for high-tech applications. However, changing these connections requires extreme measures, such as high heat, leaving researchers with the challenge of finding an easier transformation method.