image: Heterogeneous spatial distribution of fluctuations in the nearest neighbor separation within our disordered crystal: Each line represents a bond between nearest neighbor particles. These bonds could also be interpreted as springs between particles. Dark colors represent stiffer bonds (spring constant is higher), reddish colors represent weaker bonds (spring constant is lower). This image relates to an article that appeared in the Aug. 6, 2010, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Deniz Kaya of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pa., and colleagues is titled, "Normal Modes and Density of States of Disordered Colloidal Solids." view more
Credit: [Image courtesy of Mohammad Islam]