Crystal Melting Discovery: Physicists Capture a Strange New Phase of Matter
A major crystal melting discovery is changing how scientists understand phase transitions. Physicists in Austria observed a crystal that does not melt like ice. Instead, it passes through a strange middle state. Normally, solids turn into liquids suddenly. However, ultra-thin materials behave differently. As a result, researchers saw a rare phase between solid and liquid. This discovery came from the University of Vienna. The findings appear in the journal Science. Therefore, they mark a big step for materials science.
A Rare State Between Solid and Liquid
The team studied atomically thin silver iodide crystals. They placed the crystal between protective graphene layers. This setup allowed safe heating and clear observation. Using advanced electron microscopes, researchers watched atoms move in real time. In addition, neural networks tracked thousands of atomic changes. This made the results more precise. The crystal entered a “hexatic phase” before fully melting. In this state, atoms lost perfect spacing but kept orderly angles. For example, it behaved partly like a liquid and partly like a solid. Scientists first proposed this phase in the 1970s. However, they had never seen it in real bonded materials. As a result, this crystal melting discovery solves a long-standing mystery.
This Discovery Matters
The study also revealed a surprise. The shift from solid to hexatic happened smoothly. However, the move from hexatic to liquid occurred suddenly. This finding challenges older theories. Therefore, scientists must rethink how melting works in two dimensions. The discovery opens new research paths. It may influence nanotechnology, electronics, and future materials design. In short, melting is more complex than once believed.
