Engineering

A 20 kW laser system for producing high-purity crystals

High-purity semiconductor crystals are required for power electronics in electric cars or in photovoltaics. When such crystals reach a diameter of 2 inches, they become relevant for industrial applications.

Energy & Green Tech

Researchers develop long-cycle, high-energy sodium-ion battery

The constantly growing demand for energy storage is driving research and development in battery technology. The sodium-ion battery is a reliable and affordable replacement for lithium-ion batteries. The easy accessibility ...

Electronics & Semiconductors

Bulky additives could make cheaper solar cells last longer

An insight into preventing perovskite semiconductors from degrading quickly, discovered at the University of Michigan, could help enable solar cells estimated to be two to four times cheaper than today's thin-film solar panels.

Energy & Green Tech

More range for electric vehicle batteries on the horizon

A seemingly simple shift in lithium-ion battery manufacturing could pay big dividends, improving electric vehicles' (EV) ability to store more energy per charge and to withstand more charging cycles, according to new research ...

Engineering

Shape-shifting fiber can produce morphing fabrics

Instead of needing a coat for each season, imagine having a jacket that would dynamically change shape so it becomes more insulating to keep you warm as the temperature drops.

Electronics & Semiconductors

Using sound to test devices, control qubits

Acoustic resonators are everywhere. In fact, there is a good chance you're holding one in your hand right now. Most smart phones today use bulk acoustic resonators as radio frequency filters to filter out noise that could ...

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Crystal

A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituent atoms, molecules, or ions are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern extending in all three spatial dimensions. The scientific study of crystals and crystal formation is known as crystallography. The process of crystal formation via mechanisms of crystal growth is called crystallization or solidification. The word crystal is derived from the Ancient Greek word κρύσταλλος (krustallos), meaning both “ice” and “rock crystal”, from κρύος (kruos), “icy cold, frost”.

Most common metals are polycrystals. Crystals are often symmetrically intergrown to form crystal twins.

This text uses material from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA