Hey science buffs! Ever wondered how a gas like hydrogen transforms under extreme pressures? Chinese scientists have just unveiled the most detailed picture of solid hydrogen’s atomic structure using high-tech X-ray nanoscale probes. 😮
Normally, hydrogen exists as a gas, but when you crank up the pressure—starting at 5 GPa and soaring past 200 GPa—the molecules line up in striking, honeycomb-like patterns. Lead researcher Ji Cheng from Beijing explained that as pressure increases, the crystalline arrangement becomes astonishingly complex. 🚀
This discovery, published in Nature, captured hydrogen in a critical transition state between its solid and metallic phases. Metallic hydrogen is famous for its incredible energy density—second only to nuclear energy. Imagine the force of a jumbo jet balanced on the tip of a needle; that’s the extreme pressure scientists are talking about! 😲
Using advanced diamond anvil cell technology, the research team squeezed hydrogen between ultra-sharp diamond tips, allowing high-brightness X-rays to expose its hidden structure. This breakthrough not only deepens our understanding of hydrogen’s mysteries but also sparks exciting possibilities for future energy innovations and high-tech materials that could shape our evolving world.
Reference(s):
Chinese scientists observe complex structure of solid hydrogen
cgtn.com
