K. Polyamorphism is also an important area in pharmaceutical science. The amorphous form of a drug typically has much better aqueous solubility (compared to the analogous crystalline form) but the actual local structure in an amorphous pharmaceutical can be different, depending on the method used to form the amorphous phase. Mannitol is the first pharmaceutical substance featuring polyamorphism. In addition to the regular amorphous phase, a second amorphous phase can be prepared at room temperature and pressure. This new phase has substantially lower energy, lower density and higher glass transition temperature. Since mannitol is widely used in pharmaceutical tablet formulations, mannitol polyamorphism offers a powerful tool to engineer the property and behavior of tablets. See also Glass Liquid Amorphous solid structure of liquids and glasses polymorphism (materials science) Pair distribution function References Phase transitions Phases of matter Amorphous solids