A new member of the glass family——metallic glass

Metallic glasses are formed by metallic bonds but have long-range disordered atomic packing, which endows them unique structures and properties. This has stimulated intensive research interest and the vigorous development of amorphous physics and materials science. On the occasion of the International Year of Glass, we briefly review the discovery and development of metallic glass, and its properties, structure and applications. The scientific challenges awaiting research will also be addressed.