New Approaches to the study of crystal nucleation and growth

该项目正在开发和应用纳米技术来研究晶体材料的成核和生长，重点研究矿物和盐，如碳酸钙、硫酸钡和羟基磷灰石，这些具有相当大的实际意义（如鳞片形成、骨骼和牙齿等）。我们正在采用基于纳米吸管的新技术，该技术可用于快速创造晶体成核和生长的条件，并实时监控这一过程。我们还使用纳米管成像探针来绘制未探索的性质，如表面电荷和近晶体形态。这些方法正在与一系列显微和光谱学技术一起使用。该项目与EPSRC项目资助“现实世界中的结晶：通过理论和实验提供控制”（EP/R018820/1）保持一致，该项目涉及来自4所英国大学的8个研究小组以及国际合作伙伴。学生充分参与了这个项目，并从它提供的互动机会中受益匪浅。

This project is developing and applying nanoscale techniques to investigate the nucleation and growth of crystalline materials, with a focus on minerals and salts, such as calcium carbonate, barium sulfate and hdroxyapatite, which are of considerable practical importance (e.g. scale formation, bone and teeth etc.). We are bringing to bear novel techniques based on nanopipettes that can be used to rapidly create conditions for crystal nucleation and growth, and to monitor the process in real time. We are also using nanopipette imaging probes to map out unexplored properties such as surface charge and near crystal speciation. These methods are being used alongside a range of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The project is aligned to the EPSRC Programme Grant 'Crystallisation in the Real World: Delivering Control through Theory and Experiment' (EP/R018820/1), which involves 8 research groups from 4 UK universities, along with international partners. The student is fully involved in this programme and is benefiting considerably from the opportunities for interactions that it provides.