Growing crystals in saturated solution is a fundamental technique for obtaining well-ordered crystals with controlled properties. This process involves a method called “flux growth”, where single crystals are grown by employing a flux, which is a solvent that facilitates the crystallization process. The method starts by dissolving a solute in a solvent at a specific temperature, until no more solute dissolves. The solution created is called a saturated solution. By carefully controlling the cooling or evaporation of the solution, crystals can be precipitated out in a highly ordered arrangement. Several factors affect the crystal growth process in saturated solutions, including solute, concentration, temperature, and evaporation. The reason for single crystal growth is to determine the anisotropic properties via measurements of polycrystals versus single crystals. By assessing the measurements, researchers can gain insight into the various physical phenomena that are influenced by the crystal’s structure and orientation. This approach enables the exploration of crystal structures, materials research, and the development of advanced technology. The applications are unlimited in diverse fields, such as, magnetism, lasers, high performance semiconductor devices, advanced electronic materials, and many more. Continued research in this field is important for further advancements in crystallography, materials science, and related areas of study.

NSF's Nano Research Experience for Teachers at Rice University- NSF EEC-1406885

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Ritu Gandhi, Karthik Rao, Rice University (2023), "Unveiling the Journey of Making Single Crystals," https://nanohub.org/resources/37987.

  BibTex | EndNote

1. crystal growth
2. crystals
3. education
4. education/outreach
5. K-12
6. nano technology