Let's watch Sodium and Chlorine do a Line Dance (NaCl) (table salt)

January 25, 2021 10:56 PM

Two novel techniques, atomic-resolution real-time video and conical carbon nanotube confinement, allow researchers to view never-before-seen details about crystal formation.

Crystal close up | The University of Tokyo

You know table salt NaCl an how it's a crystal structure and mostly cubical in nature. Now we can actually watch individual atoms of Sodium (Na) and Chlorine (Cl) dance together and form a structure like they were listening to Billy Ray Cyrus - Achy Breaky Heart (Official Music Video).

Spontaneous Systematic Synchronization.

posted by zengargoyle (8 comments total)

Wow, that is amazing. I never thought I'd see an actual crystal lattice growing from nucleation in real time. Really, really cool.
posted by biogeo at 12:53 AM on January 26, 2021

Whoa! That is awe-some.
posted by Don.Kinsayder at 2:41 AM on January 26, 2021

I love it when the abstract becomes concrete.
posted by OnceUponATime at 2:54 AM on January 26, 2021

Truly incredible. I have a vague idea of how electron microscopy works thanks to this explanation from Sixty Symbols' Prof. Moriarty. If I remember correctly it's analogous to the needle on a record player, only it's responding to the magnetic field. (Correction: in that case the "needle" was actually trying to form bonds.)

I had no idea it could be done in real time though. Makes me wonder what other things we'll be able to see in the future.

Also, if you enjoy small-scale science don't miss Journey to the Microcosmos on Youtube.
posted by Acey at 6:10 AM on January 26, 2021

Thank you for sharing this! Reminds me of a few other chemical phenomena seen through microscopy:

Before and after of a chemical reaction
Video of Re-Re bond formation
posted by invokeuse at 8:41 AM on January 26, 2021 [2 favorites]

Another appropriate soundtrack: Kate and Anna McGarrigle – NaCl
posted by oulipian at 9:05 AM on January 26, 2021

Holy guacamole! That is cool.
posted by starfishprime at 9:07 AM on January 26, 2021

nature is amazing. And science is just beyond!
posted by kathrynm at 5:41 PM on January 26, 2021