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Structures of Solids

Structures of Solids

Solids in which the atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite repeating pattern are known as crystalline solids. Metals and ionic compounds typically form ordered, crystalline solids. A crystalline solid has a precise melting temperature because each atom or molecule of the same type is held in place with the same forces or energy. Amorphous solids or non-crystalline solids (or, sometimes, glasses) which lack an ordered internal structure and are randomly arranged. Substances that...

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

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Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
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Molecular Models

Physical models representing molecular architectures of chemical compounds play essential roles in understanding chemistry. The use of molecular models makes it easier to visualize the structures and shapes of atoms and molecules.

Unit Cells

Unit Cells

A crystal's internal structure is an orderly array of atoms, ions, or molecules, and the details of this array significantly influence the solid's properties. In a crystal, periodically repeating 'structural motifs' - which could be atoms, molecules, or groups thereof - create a 'space lattice.' This is essentially a three-dimensional, infinite array of points, each surrounded by its neighbors in an identical way, forming the basic structure of the crystal.A 'unit cell' is a theoretical...

Crystal Growth: Principles of Crystallization

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Crystallization is a phase transformation process in which crystals are precipitated from a supersaturated solution or formed from other sources. During crystallization, atoms or molecules arrange themselves into a well-defined, rigid crystal lattice to minimize energy.
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In the late 1800s, the revelation that light extended beyond visible wavelengths led to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. Recognized as high-energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths, X-rays prompted exploration into their interaction with crystals. Max von Laue proposed in 1912 that the periodic arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in crystals would cause them to diffract X-rays, a hypothesis confirmed through experiments with copper sulfate and zinc sulfide...

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Growing Protein Crystals with Distinct Dimensions Using Automated Crystallization Coupled with In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering

Growing Protein Crystals with Distinct Dimensions Using Automated Crystallization Coupled with In Situ Dynamic Light Scattering

Published on: August 14, 2018

Crystalline molecular machines: function, phase order, dimensionality, and composition.

Cortnie S Vogelsberg¹, Miguel A Garcia-Garibay

¹Department of Chemistry, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Chemical Society Reviews

|October 21, 2011

Summary

Researchers are engineering amphidynamic crystals, materials with controlled molecular motion, to create responsive materials. Developing multicomponent molecular machines is key to achieving complex functions for advanced applications.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Supramolecular Chemistry
Nanotechnology

Background:

Molecular machines offer potential for novel materials with stimulus-responsive properties.
Amphidynamic crystals, featuring anisotropic molecular order and controlled dynamics, are promising platforms for functional bulk materials.
Engineering Brownian rotation in molecular crystals allows interfacing with external fields for applications like optoelectronics.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the design and synthesis of amphidynamic molecular machines.
To establish structure/function relationships for advanced material engineering.
To enable the creation of complex, multicomponent molecular systems.

Main Methods:

Characterization of structure/function relationships in amphidynamic materials.
Engineering of molecular crystals and extended solids with controlled rotational dynamics.
Development of synthetic strategies for multicomponent amphidynamic systems.

Main Results:

Demonstrated possibility of engineering molecular crystals with specific Brownian rotation.
Established blueprints for further engineering sophisticated functions in amphidynamic materials.
Recent progress in multicomponent amphidynamic systems shows promise for complex functions.

Conclusions:

Amphidynamic crystals provide a platform for responsive bulk materials.
Synthesis of multicomponent amphidynamic molecular machines is crucial for advanced functionality.
Future development may lead to functions mimicking biomolecular machines.