• Explain the basic nucleation and growth processes and the multitude of shapes of crystals
• Explain and calculate the rate of homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation of crystals using analytical models
• Predict the surface morphology of crystals at a molecular scale and on the basis of this their growth mechanism using simple statistical thermodynamics models
• Derive and use rate equations for crystal growth by two-dimensional nucleation and spiral growth.
• Use the Periodic Bond Chain method to predict crystal shapes from crystal structure and bonding for simple crystal structures.
• Apply elementary mass transport models to interpret their influence on the growth and shape of crystals.

The largest part of Earth and Moon is composed of crystalline materials. In the fields of materials science, metallurgy, geology, industrial technology and life sciences the formation and properties of crystals play a main role: rocks, minerals, ores, metals, ceramics, computer chips, sugar, salt, medicines, bones, teeth and shells. Crystals are everywhere! Therefore, understanding the nucleation and further growth of crystals is a highly relevant issue. In this series of lectures we elaborate on why crystals have certain facets, how they nucleate and further grow and how inclusions and dendrites are formed. Another aspect of this course is learning how to understand physical chemical reality by setting up and using more or less simple physical, computer and mathematical models.

Instructional Modes