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Scientists Discover New Nuclear-Blast Clathrate in Trinity Trinitite

5/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by geologist Luca Bindi identified a novel calcium-copper-silicon clathrate in a droplet of red trinitite from the July 16 1945 Trinity nuclear test.
The mineral had never been observed in nature or synthesized in a laboratory.
Researchers say it formed spontaneously during the blast’s extreme temperature and pressure.
Its cage-like architecture makes clathrates promising for thermoelectric, semiconductor, gas-storage and hydrogen-energy technologies.

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Story summary

Researchers led by geologist Luca Bindi identified a novel calcium-copper-silicon clathrate in a droplet of red trinitite from the July 16 1945 Trinity nuclear test.
The mineral had never been observed in nature or synthesized in a laboratory.
Researchers say it formed spontaneously during the blast’s extreme temperature and pressure.
Its cage-like architecture makes clathrates promising for thermoelectric, semiconductor, gas-storage and hydrogen-energy technologies.