SMRTR Science & EngineeringDec 7, 2025Interesting Engineering

Scientists track every atom during melting, reveal previously unseen state

SMRTR summary

Scientists used advanced microscopy and AI to track individual atoms during melting in ultra-thin silver iodide, discovering a mysterious intermediate "hexatic" phase that acts like a wobbly crystal between solid and liquid states. The research overturned existing theory by showing the transition from hexatic to liquid happens suddenly rather than gradually as predicted.

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