Don’t be Square: Why do Chemistry and Nature Build Hexagons?

Abstract

This article distinguishes the role of hexagonal motifs in close-packed solid-state structures and in graphite and graphene; we then illustrate how hexagonal cells in the nests of honey bees and paper wasps minimize construction materials while optimizing space and achieving a robust architecture from delicate materials

Keywords

• Chemical education
• Close-packing
• Graphite
• Hexagonal motif
• Honey bee
• Paper wasp