This strange crystal structure had never been observed before 💎

Crystals don't always grow the way we thought. A team of researchers has just discovered a new type of crystal that shatters preconceived ideas about how they form.

Scientists from New York University observed that crystals can emerge through more complex pathways than expected. Their findings, published in Nature Communications, show how small charged particles assemble to create well-ordered shapes.


For their experiments, researchers used particles called "colloids". These are much larger than atoms, making them easy to observe under a microscope. This helps better understand how crystals form.

They also used computers to simulate crystal formation. These simulations revealed an original structure with small internal tunnels that had never been seen before.

This new crystal form, called "Zangenite", could be used to create innovative materials. For example, its small internal channels could serve to filter liquids or store substances.

Researchers now plan to discover other never-before-seen crystals. This could lead to useful inventions in fields like optics (lenses, lasers, etc.).

This discovery shows that crystal formation is more complex than previously imagined.

How do crystals form?

A crystal forms when atoms or molecules arrange themselves in a very regular pattern. It was previously thought this organization happened gradually in a simple, linear fashion.

But we now know the process can be more chaotic. Particles may first assemble in a somewhat disorganized way before properly aligning to form a crystal.

This new understanding could enable the creation of materials with interesting properties useful for technology.