02-05-2009, 08:29 AM
Scientists have found the first case of an ionic crystal consisting of just one chemical element – boron. This is the densest and hardest known phase of this element. The new phase turned out to be a key to understanding the phase diagram of boron – the only element for which the phase diagram was unknown since its discovery 200 years ago.
![[Image: 090128215130.jpg]](http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2009/01/090128215130.jpg)
Read the full story
![[Image: 090128215130.jpg]](http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/2009/01/090128215130.jpg)
Read the full story