Crystals have repeatedly been found at archaeological sites alongside Homo remains. Evidence shows that hominins have been collecting these stones for as long as 780,000 years. Yet, we know that our ...

Chimpanzees can pick out crystals from a pile of ordinary rocks, handle them with visible care, and even hold them up to peer ...

A new method to grow single crystals and simultaneously control their growth orientation without melt processing has been discovered by Texas A&M University materials science and engineering doctoral ...

They gave quartz, calcite and other types of crystals to chimpanzees in a rehabilitation center. The apes responded with great interest, and the researchers ended up needing to trade large amounts of ...

Langasite family crystals are a notable class of materials distinguished by their non-centrosymmetric crystal structures and the consequential piezoelectric and optical phenomena. These crystals ...

Liquid crystals represent a unique state of matter that combines fluidity with long‐range molecular organisation, bridging the gap between conventional liquids and solid crystals. Their inherent ...

Defect-filled lead-halide perovskites rival silicon solar cells because domain walls inside the material separate and guide charges. Researchers visualized these charge-transport networks using a ...

The nonlinear susceptibility is a measure of a material's nonlinear response to an applied electric field. It determines the strength of the nonlinear effects and is related to the crystal's symmetry ...

Optical materials serve a major role in modern sciences and technology. Many of the devices we use feature technology resulting from material discoveries in this fast moving area of research. Optical ...