Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Crystallization of Membrane Proteins in Lipidic Mesophases
Published on: March 28, 2011
Precursor-mediated crystallization process in suspensions of hard spheres
T Schilling1, H J Schöpe, M Oettel
1Theory of Soft Condensed Matter, University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Abstract:
We report on a large scale computer simulation study of crystal nucleation in hard spheres. Through a combined analysis of real- and reciprocal-space data, a picture of a two-step crystallization process is supported: First, dense, amorphous clusters form which then act as precursors for the nucleation of well-ordered crystallites. This kind of crystallization process has been previously observed in systems that interact via potentials that have an attractive as well as a repulsive part, most prominently in protein solutions. In this context the effect has been attributed to the presence of metastable fluid-fluid demixing. Our simulations, however, show that a purely repulsive system (that has no metastable fluid-fluid coexistence) crystallizes via the same mechanism.
More Related Videos
09:15Growing Protein Crystals with Distinct Dimensions Using Automated Crystallization Coupled with In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering
Published on: August 14, 2018
11:42Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
Published on: June 20, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Recrystallization: Solid–Solution Equilibria
Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization
Initiating crystallization involves manipulating the concentration of the solute and the temperature of the solution. Since crystal growth occurs when the ratio of concentration and solubility of the solute in the solvent...
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Precipitation Processes
Colloidal precipitates
The Colloidal State