Elasticity in Flexible Crystals: How They Store and Release Energy

Australian scientists made a breakthrough in understanding the molecular origins of elasticity in flexible crystals. This discovery promises to influence innovative building materials and advanced technologies. Moreover, it may change the future of material design. A collaborative study by the University of Queensland (UQ) and Queensland University of Technology (QUT) provided new insights. The researchers revealed how these materials store and release energy. Consequently, the materials regain their original shape after deformation. Additionally, the study opens doors to further research and technology development.

Professor Jack Clegg led a research team from UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences. They conducted experiments to bend various flexible crystals under controlled conditions. One striking material was a UQ-developed crystal that showed extraordinary flexibility. Remarkably, it could be tied in a knot without breaking. Then, the team subjected the crystals to both compressive and expansive strains. Consequently, the researchers closely examined the changes in intermolecular interactions.

Professor Clegg stated, “Elasticity underpins many technologies such as optical fibres, aeroplane components, and load-bearing bridges.” Moreover, the experiments aimed to observe where and how energy is stored within the crystal structure during bending. Next, the team discovered that when the crystal deforms, the molecules undergo reversible rotations and reorganisation. As a result, this process stores potential energy differentially. Finally, the inner and outer sides of the bend show distinct energy levels.

The study revealed that the potential energy enabling the crystal to return to its original shape is primarily stored in the molecular interactions. Under strain, the energy is distributed unevenly within the crystal lattice, a phenomenon that had not been clearly understood until now. One of the most compelling demonstrations of this energy storage was the ability of a bent crystal to lift an object 30 times its own weight a meter into the air. This quantitative measure of the stored energy underscores the robust elastic properties of the material and provides a tangible metric for its potential applications.

Significantly, these findings extend far beyond the laboratory. The new understanding of energy storage in flexible crystals opens new engineering possibilities. Moreover, engineers can optimize these materials for many applications. They can serve in spacecraft, electronics, and extreme construction. Additionally, millions of crystal types exist, and scientists continue to discover new ones. The research team developed a method to explore crystal elasticity. Consequently, this method may spur the development of lightweight, resilient materials. It addresses challenges in civil engineering, aerospace, and renewable energy.

Professor John McMurtrie of QUT, who played a crucial role in the study, highlighted the broad impact of the research. “The method we have developed can be used to explore elasticity in other flexible crystalline materials,” he said. Professor McMurtrie emphasized that elasticity is a fundamental property essential not only to the structural integrity of modern technology but also to everyday life—enabling everything from animal movement to the stability of skyscrapers.

The researchers stressed that although elastic materials have been used by humans for millennia, the molecular origin of the restoring force had remained a mystery until now. By shedding light on this phenomenon, the study bridges a critical gap in material science and lays the groundwork for future innovations that could lead to more efficient, durable, and adaptable materials.

This breakthrough is expected to have a significant impact on various industries. Engineers can now better understand the energy dynamics within elastic materials, leading to the creation of safer and more energy-efficient structures. In technology, the ability to design materials at the molecular level paves the way for new electronic devices that can better handle mechanical stress, potentially extending their lifespans and performance capabilities.

The detailed findings of the research have been published in the prestigious journal Nature Materials. The study, titled “Origins of elasticity in molecular materials,” outlines the experimental procedures and theoretical frameworks used to decipher the elastic properties of flexible crystals. For further reference and verification of the research details, the journal reference is available with the DOI: 10.1038/s41563-025-02133-w.

This significant advancement in understanding elasticity at the molecular level not only deepens scientific knowledge but also sets the stage for practical applications that could transform industries ranging from aerospace to construction.