Science News Hubb
Advertisement
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
Science News Hubb
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News

How to make tiny metal snowflakes

admin by admin
December 11, 2022
in Science News



Look closely at a snowflake, and you’ll observe a one-of-a-kind gossamer lattice, its growth influenced by ambient conditions like temperature and humidity. Turns out, this sort of intricate self-assemblage can also occur in metals, researchers report in the Dec. 9 Science.

In pools of molten gallium, physicist Nicola Gaston and colleagues grew zinc nanostructures with symmetrical, hexagonal crystal frameworks. Such metal snowflakes could be useful for catalyzing chemical reactions and constructing electronics, says Gaston, of the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology at the University of Auckland in New Zealand.

“Self-assembly is the way nature makes nanostructures,” she says. “We’re trying to learn to do the same things.” Figuring out how to craft tiny, complex metal shapes in fewer steps and with less energy could be a boon for manufacturers.

The researchers chose gallium as a growth medium, due to its relatively low melting point, ability to dissolve many other metals and the tendency for its atoms to loosely organize while in a liquid state.

After mixing zinc into the gallium, the team subjected the alloy to elevated temperatures and different pressures, and then let the mixture cool to room temperature. The loose ordering of gallium atoms appeared to coax the crystallizing zinc to bloom into symmetrical, hexagonal structures resembling natural snowflakes and other shapes, the team found. It’s somewhat like how a fruit tray imparts order on the fruits stacked within, Gaston says.

The future may be bright for research into applications of gallium and other low-temperature liquid metals. “Not to take that snowflake metaphor too far, but [this work] really hints at new branches for scientific discovery,” Gaston says.



Source link

Previous Post

NASA’s Artemis I mission has ended as Orion splashed down on Earth

Next Post

Viral Protein Behind Chronic Inflammation in People with HIV: Study

Next Post

Viral Protein Behind Chronic Inflammation in People with HIV: Study

Recommended

Cancer Cells in Mice May Hitch a Ride with Bone-Healing Stem Cells

November 7, 2022

How a Heart Can Stop After a Forceful Impact

January 4, 2023

Don't miss it

Science News

Vikings brought animals to England as early as the year 873

February 2, 2023
Science News

Antidepressants mostly can’t treat chronic pain, despite wide use

February 2, 2023
Science News

‘The Ark’ premiere sets up a sci-fi survival saga in outer space

February 2, 2023
Technology

Size, Sex and Breed May Predict Dogs’ Cancer Diagnosis

February 2, 2023
Technology

What Psilocybin Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Teaching Us About Human Consciousness

February 1, 2023
Technology

Bio-Rad’s CFX Opus Deepwell Dx Real-Time PCR System Advances Large Reaction Volume IVD Assay Development and Diagnostic Testing

February 1, 2023

© 2022 Science News Hubb All rights reserved.

Use of these names, logos, and brands does not imply endorsement unless specified. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

Newsletter Sign Up

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Science News
  • Technology
  • Contact us

© 2022 Science News Hubb All rights reserved.