Abstract
The paradigm of X-ray crystal structure analysis has provided the structures of some 200 000 molecular, ionic and metallic substances. The disadvantage of the direct methods used in restoring the phases of the scattered waves is the necessary assumption that all unit cells in the crystals are the same. With the appearance of electron microscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy, which do not lose the phases on recording, the imaging of more general objects has become possible. A sketch of some of the components which might comprise a generalisation of classical crystallography is attempted. In particular, it is suggested that a biological approach to inorganic systems might provide new insight. The construction of an ‘inorganic gene’ as a computing device is proposed.
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