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Letter

Nature Materials 6, 941–945 (1 December 2007) | doi:10.1038/nmat2057

Where are nature|[rsquo]|s missing structures?

Gus L. W. Hart

Our society|[rsquo]|s environmental and economic progress depends on the development of high-performance materials such as lightweight alloys, high-energy-density battery materials, recyclable motor vehicle and building components, and energy-efficient lighting. Meeting these needs requires us to understand the central role of crystal structure in a material|[rsquo]|s properties.