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Shechtman's research work area is quasicrystals. Quasicrystals are materials that have ordered atomic patterns, but not periodic. The discovery of quasicrystals was unexpected and controversial because the concept of aperiodic order was previously thought to be impossible. Shechtman's discovery of quasicrystals has had a significant impact on the field of materials science and has led to the development of new materials with unique properties.