This article highlights the groundbreaking work of Takeshi Egami, a materials scientist who has spent his career investigating the atomic structure of metallic glasses and other liquids. His research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee focuses on understanding the complex, noncrystalline structures of these materials, often using advanced techniques like neutron scattering and synchrotron X-ray. Egami challenges traditional bottom-up atomic modeling approaches, which focus on local atomic connections, advocating instead for a broader “medium-range order” perspective. His new density wave theory suggests a deeper understanding of the behavior of disordered materials, including their viscosity and deformation. Despite initial resistance from the scientific community, Egami’s work continues to push the boundaries of material science, aiming for a better understanding of noncrystalline materials and even the behavior of electrons in strongly correlated systems.
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