Crystal Synthesis Method
Crystal Synthesis Method - Related Videos
04:51
Comparison of Two Different Synthesis Methods of Single Crystals of Superconducting Uranium Ditelluride
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Cited by 13 •
2021
Here, we present a protocol to synthesize two types of UTe2 crystals: those exhibiting robust superconductivity, via chemical vapor transport synthesis, and those lacking superconductivity, via molten metal flux synthesis.
08:54
Synthesis and Exfoliation of Discotic Zirconium Phosphates to Obtain Colloidal Liquid Crystals
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Cited by 3 •
2016
A two dimensional model material of discotic zirconium phosphate was developed. The inorganic crystal with lamellar structure was synthesized by hydrothermal, reflux, and microwave-assisted methods. On exfoliation with organic molecules, layered crystals can be converted to monolayers, and nematic liquid crystal phase was formed at sufficient concentration of monolayers.
13:38
Synthesis of Biocompatible Liquid Crystal Elastomer Foams as Cell Scaffolds for 3D Spatial Cell Cultures
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Cited by 9 •
2017
This study presents a methodology to prepare 3D, biodegradable, foam-like cell scaffolds based on biocompatible side-chain liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). Confocal microscopy experiments show that foam-like LCEs allow for cell attachment, proliferation, and the spontaneous alignment of C2C12s myoblasts.
07:26
High-throughput Crystallization of Membrane Proteins Using the Lipidic Bicelle Method
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Cited by 26 •
2012
Bicelles are lipid/amphiphile mixtures that maintain membrane proteins (MPs) within a lipid bilayer but have unique phase behavior that facilitates high-throughput screening by crystallization robots. This technique has successfully produced a number of high-resolution structures from both prokaryotic and eukaryotic sources. This video describes protocols for generating the lipidic bicelle mixture, incorporating MPs into the bicelle mixture, setting up crystallizations trials (manually as well...
06:19
High-Throughput Screening to Obtain Crystal Hits for Protein Crystallography
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Cited by 14 •
2023
This protocol details high-throughput crystallization screening, ranging from the 1,536 microassay plate preparation to the end of a 6 week experimental time window. Details are included about the sample setup, the imaging obtained, and how users can perform analyses using an artificial intelligence-enabled graphical user interface to quickly and efficiently identify macromolecular crystallization conditions.
FAQs
Supersaturation is the key trigger for nucleation, the initial formation of ordered crystal domains. When a system reaches suitable supersaturation, nucleation can begin; subsequent control of temperature, concentration, pressure, cooling rate, or solvent evaporation affects how the process proceeds. Managing these conditions helps balance the formation of new crystals with continued growth of existing ones.
Crystal size and morphology depend on how material reaches and attaches to the crystal surface. Temperature, concentration, pressure, cooling rate, and solvent evaporation can alter nucleation and the continued transport of material during growth. Adjusting these variables allows engineers to influence whether crystals develop with the desired dimensions and external form for a targeted function.
Nucleation alone does not determine the final crystal. Continued transport of material to the crystal surface supports growth and influences the resulting size and morphology. If synthesis conditions regulate this transport effectively, the process can produce more controlled crystalline structures. This control is important because crystal structure and defects affect how an engineered material performs.
A general workflow begins by choosing a suitable growth route, such as solution growth, melt solidification, precipitation, or vapor deposition. Engineers then establish conditions that control nucleation, including temperature, pressure, concentration, cooling rate, or solvent evaporation. After nucleation starts, they maintain conditions that support material transport and crystal growth while limiting defects.
These approaches offer alternative ways to create crystalline solids under controlled conditions. Solution growth and precipitation rely on concentration-related control, while melt solidification emphasizes cooling during formation; vapor deposition provides another route for assembling crystalline material. The appropriate choice depends on which process conditions can best support the required crystallinity, morphology, and engineering performance.
Crystal synthesis supports materials for electronic, optical, catalytic, and structural applications. In each area, controlling crystallinity, defects, size, and morphology helps connect atomic or molecular order with functional performance. Engineering teams therefore use synthesis conditions not only to produce a crystalline solid, but also to tailor material behavior for a particular application.