Quasicrystals 2003: Volume 805

Book excerpt: Twenty years after the discovery of a quasicrystalline compound, the field of quasicrystals still raises interest and is continuously evolving. Quasicrystals display properties different from conventional crystals with small unit cells and present interesting potential for industrial purposes. This book offers an updated look into the field of quasicrystalline research. For example, a report on electrodeposited Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystals shows great promise for industry. It is also demonstrated that when Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystals are used as catalysts, in particular at high temperatures, such quasicrystals outperform conventional industrial catalysts. A new class of quasicrystal, based on a novel type of local order differing from previously observed Mackay- and Bergman-type quasicrystals, is featured. A detailed description of layer-by-layer growth of a Cu film on a quasicrystalline surface is also provided. Additional topics include: synthesis and structure; transport properties; electronic properties; mechanical properties; quasicrystals from metallic glasses; surfaces and coatings; and applications and hydrogen storage.