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ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Icosahedral Geometry in Condensed Matter: A Foundation for Materials Science

Authors: Keeble, Clifford;

Icosahedral Geometry in Condensed Matter: A Foundation for Materials Science

Abstract

Since Frank's 1952 proposal that supercooled liquids exhibit icosahedral local order, the icosahedron has become central to understanding glass formation, nucleation, and metallic alloys. This paper collects the key geometric properties of the icosahedron relevant to condensed matter physics: the invariants V = 12, E = 30, F = 20; the derived quantities 41 = (V−1) + E and 42 = V + E; the structure ratio e⁵ = e^(E/D!) where D! = 6 is the dimensional factorial; and the fundamental constraint that icosahedra cannot tile three-dimensional space. These geometric facts, combined with Klein's 1884 analysis of icosahedral symmetry, provide a unified foundation for understanding geometric frustration in materials. We present this as a reference for companion papers on the glass transition and crystal nucleation.

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Keywords

icosahedral geometry Frank cluster geometric frustration condensed matter materials science Klein icosahedron glass transition crystal nucleation Mackay shells kissing number

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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