Chinese Scientist Probes the "Fifth Form" of SubstanceIn addition to gas, liquid, solid and liquid crystal, is there another substance which has a fifth form -- quasi-fluid?Under an electron-microscope, a Chinese scientist has discovered unusual transparent stones. In tiny areas of these stones vibrations with a fluid-like movement can be seen - sometimes the movement is present, sometimes not, and sometimes it even moves in circles. Professor Gao from the Tianjin University Material College discovered this phenomenon after a decade's research, and has published the first ever paper on it. Experts from Beijing Science and Technology University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Beijing University have given high praise to this discovery. Their appraisal conclusion says that "quasi-fluid"-- the vibration phenomenon with movement similar to fluid does exist in solid matter, and is a natural nonlinear vibration phenomenon, which will add to world scientific knowledge. The experts say professor Gao's research combines "quasi-fluid" phenomenon research with that of the nonlinear dynamics, and will present new ideas for the study of metal and natural marble. In 1989, professor Gao discovered in an experiment that the mysterious vibration phenomenon existed in solid alloy, and the vibrations had the characteristics of flowing. Some have said this phenomenon is caused by pollution. Professor Gao's ten-year research has disproved this theory. She says: "We still cannot provide a complete explanation for this phenomenon, and we have yet to decide what to name it." Chinese scientists have much more work to do in this area including describing the phenomenon and explaining how it works. They suggest related departments take an interest and organize personnel to do further research. Shao Liqin, a senior official at the Ministry of Science and Technology, says the government is most interested in the findings and is organizing a scientific team to do further research. |
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