Bismuth showed “structural memory” properties that may one greatly contribute to the electrical engineering industry, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Experts have long upheld bismuth’s important roles in the study of metals and condensed matter physics.

Bismuth is a high-density, but brittle metal that is often mixed with other metals for industrial use. Its alloys, when combined with tin or cadmium, have low melting points and are commonly used in fire detectors and extinguishers, solders, and electric fuses. The element, a naturally occurring metal, was known to possess various chemical phases. Bismuth is also known to be non-toxic.

A team of researchers from the University of Chicago and the Yanshan University in China induced a series of pressure and temperature conditions to develop a bismuth byproduct that retains a structural memory of its previous phase. The researchers brought the bismuth to a liquid state under  between 14,000 and 24,000 times normal atmospheric pressure and at about 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, and then gradually cooled the material back to solid state. Data showed that the solidified bismuth retained some of the liquid properties of its former liquid state. “The high-pressure liquid becomes more structurally disordered when the heat is applied, taking on what we call a ‘deep liquid’ state, certain structural characteristics of which remain even when the bismuth is cooled back to solid. This is the first time such an effect has been seen in an elemental metal,” a researcher explained.

The element’s structural memory was also associated with a shift in its attraction to magnetic fields. Researchers noted that the metal transitioned from being repelled by a magnetic field to being attracted to a magnetic field. However, study data also showed that temperature plays a role in this magnetism. Researchers believe that the results can be replicated in other, similar elements such as antimony, plutonium and cerium.

Shape-shifting materials might be used in alien technology

Shape-shifting materials have long been the fascination of many who believe, and apparently “witnessed,” the existence of extraterrestrial entities. Previous reports on unidentified flying objects or UFOs state that “witnesses” apparently saw mysterious airborne crafts disguised as clouds to be inconspicuous.

An alleged UFO sighting in Arizona in January claims that a supposed alien space craft was hiding above a spherical cloud. A video clip from local motorist Anthony Sakowski was picked up by UFO Sightings Daily editor Scott Waring, saying that the clip was strong proof that extraterrestrial beings have already been walking the earth and are hiding through disguise. Waring also supported Sakowski’s  claims. “The UFO was noticed when the sun lit it up and caused a disk reflection above it on the clouds…Only a metal reflective surface could do this, and, as you see, the dark area of the cloud is the actual UFO,” Waring said.

Another report on a UFO sighting in Texas last year states a similar incident. According to the report, a security guard at a shopping center saw a mysterious object hovering in broad daylight. The alleged aircraft was moving slowly and appeared to be black, the report said. In a related video clip, several customers in the car park can be seen staring at the hovering object. Self-proclaimed UFO hunter Tyler Glockner suggested that the aircraft appeared to be shape-shifting. “It has movements and manoeuvres that seem strange. It doesn’t remind me of any sort of conventional aircraft or drone,” Glockner said. Glockner is the founder of the website Secure Team 10, which uploaded the video. The said clip was able to gain more than 8,200 views after being published.

Sources:

ScienceDaily.com

iTechPost.com

Mirror.co.uk