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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
A direct connection between the local topology of the atomic structure of liquids and glasses and thermodynamic quantities through the atomic level stresses is suggested for metallic alloys. In particular the role of local topological instability in the phase transformations involving liquid and glass will be discussed. It is pointed out that a single local geometrical criterion can explain various phase transformations, such as melting, glass transition, and glass formation by solid state reaction and liquid quenching.