A quasicrystal is a unique type of solid material that has an ordered structure but does not repeat periodically like traditional crystals. Instead, quasicrystals exhibit a form of symmetry that allows for patterns that fill space without repeating, often displaying complex geometric shapes. They were first discovered in 1982 by Dan Shechtman, who later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this groundbreaking work. Quasicrystals can be made from various elements, including metals and nonmetals, and have interesting properties, such as low thermal conductivity and high strength. Their unusual structure leads to unique applications in materials science, including coatings and alloys, making them a subject of ongoing research in the field.