The Theory of How Crystals Form Just Took a Major Hit

For nearly a century, textbooks have taught that a new phase, whether an ice crystal in a cloud droplet or an alloy in a factory, begins with the formation of small, distinct nuclei. A UCLA research team now suggests that the atomic world may not behave so neatly.

Three-dimensional maps made with atomic-level precision indicate that crystal formation is a smoother and more multistage process than classical theory proposes. The work challenges a model that has shaped how scientists understand the birth of crystals.

The new imaging of complex materials provides insight into phase transitions, such as liquids freezing into solids. The findings could create new possibilities across materials science, climate modeling and future technologies.