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A discovery by scientists at New York University reveals a new crystal with hollow channels, informally named “Zangenite”, and could pave the way for new applications in advanced materials.
A team of researchers from New York University has made an unexpected discovery while studying the formation of colloidal crystals. The discovery of the crystal, classified as a new crystalline structure never observed before, could pave the way for future applications in several areas of science.
Observing crystals in detail
Crystals are formed by particles that organize themselves in a repetitive way. This process, known as self-assembly, was previously seen as a predictable and well-known phenomenon. documented. However, scientists are realizing that the reality may be more complex.
By studying colloidal crystals — structures composed of tiny spheres called colloidal particles — researchers were able to observe crystal formation in unprecedented detail.
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Unlike atoms, these particles are large enough to be monitored under a microscope in real time.
“With colloids, we can observe the formation of crystals with our microscope,” explained Professor Stefano Sacanna of New York University. This allowed scientists to monitor the behavior of these particles under different conditions, especially in saltwater suspensions.
Two-stage training
During the experiments, scientists noticed that colloidal crystals form in two stages. First, amorphous bubbles condense.
These bubbles then transform into well-ordered crystalline structures.
The result is the formation of crystals with different shapes.
In addition to laboratory observations, researchers performed thousands of computer simulations to better understand this process.
These simulations helped explain the experimental data and reinforce the study's conclusions.
The emergence of “Zangenita”
It was during this work that Shihao Zang, a doctoral student at the university, noticed a different crystal. At first, it looked like another one he already knew.
But upon closer inspection, he saw that its composition was distinct and that its tips contained hollow channels.
Finding no match for any of the more than a thousand crystals catalogued in nature, the team turned to computer modeling.
The model recreated exactly the same crystal, which confirmed that it was a structure never recorded before.
“This was intriguing because normally crystals are dense, but this one had empty channels running the entire length of the crystal,” said Dr. Glen Hocky, also of New York University.
Informally baptized in the laboratory
The structure was officially named L3S4, in reference to its composition. However, in laboratory meetings, scientists began calling it “Zangenite,” after Zang, who discovered it.
“We studied colloidal crystals to mimic the real world of atomic crystals, but we never imagined that we would discover a crystal that we couldn’t find in the real world,” Zang said.
Possible future applications
The new structure offers interesting possibilities. Because it has internal channels, it resembles other materials used in filtration or in the storage of substances.
According to Dr. Hocky, this could open up avenues for applications in areas such as porous materials or encapsulation technologies.
Professor Sacanna also highlighted that this discovery shows that new structures can still be identified. “Previously, we thought it would be rare to observe a new crystal structure, but we may discover additional new structures that have not yet been characterized.”
The research was published in the journal Nature Communications..
