Nano-scale crystallization phenomena

Our group is developing approaches that utilize nano-scale systems for studies of crystallization phenomena and mechanisms that determine the morphologies of crystals. Insight from this research can lead to very useful technological applications, as understanding crystal growth mechanisms will allow us to better control crystalline products of chemical synthesis. This view is inspired by treating nano-crystals as “embryonic” stages of crystal growth. In a sense, every crystal begins its evolution as a nano-crystal. The huge advantage in studies that follow this perspective is in our ability to utilize extremely powerful electron microscopy methods, including a novel technique that allows us to perform high resolution electron microscopy directly in liquid solutions. In this way we can retrieve details of the crystal structure and overall shape at remarkable resolution, during the crystal’s initial formation. These details are often hidden in bulk crystals, unidentifiable by X-ray crystallography, yet critical for understanding of the mechanisms by which crystals grow.