The development of nuclear weapons has altered the course of history forever. New research on minerals formed at the first ever test-site in Alamogordo, New Mexico, has now revealed that it also accounted for the first, albeit accidental artificial synthesis of an unusual type of solid called a quasi-crystal. Join "the science ramble" this month, for two stories of scientific advance which could hardly be more different!

Further resources

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The original paper featured in the episode: https://www.pnas.org/content/118/22/e2101350118

A history of the Manhattan project: https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/

A description of quasi-crystals following the Nobel Prize in chemistry of 2011 awarded for their discovery, with fewer (https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2018/06/popular-chemistryprize2011.pdf) and more (https://www.nobelprize.org/uploads/2018/06/advanced-chemistryprize2011.pdf) scientific details.