Amorphous
"Amorphous" refers to a substance that lacks a defined shape or structure. Unlike crystalline materials, which have a regular arrangement of atoms, amorphous materials have a disordered arrangement. This characteristic can be found in various substances, including certain types of glass and gels.
In the context of materials science, amorphous solids can exhibit unique properties, such as varying degrees of flexibility and transparency. For example, silica gel is an amorphous form of silicon dioxide that is commonly used as a desiccant. Understanding amorphous materials is important in fields like pharmaceuticals and electronics.