Mechanical Transitions in Crystals: The Low-Temperature Thermosalient Transition of a Mesogenic Polyphenyl.

ABSTRACT: Thermosalient transitions are a subset of single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) transitions, in which the change of lattice parameters is highly anisotropic and very fast. As a result, crystals at the transition undergo macroscopic dynamical effects (hopping, jumping, and shattering). These transitions feature a conversion of heat to mechanical energy that can be exploited in the realization of advanced materials. Most thermosalient transitions are observed at temperatures higher than room temperature. Examples of low-temperature thermosalient transitions are rare. We describe a new example of a low-temperature thermosalient transition in a sexiphenyl compound. At about -40 °C, the parent single crystal (phase I) shatters into single crystal fragments of the new phase (phase II). The two

SUBMITTER: Parisi E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12046552 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature