Laser control over crystal nucleation

The research programme will investigate and exploit the laser-induced phase-separation and nucleation (LIPSaN) technique in solutions of small molecules and peptides. We will use differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) to characterise the liquid-liquid phase diagram and use ternary solutions to control the phase behaviour. The probability of crystal nucleation will be mapped out and analysed in terms of classical nucleation theory as well as the effects of (hidden) liquid-liquid phase separation. Armed with this knowledge, LIPSaN will be used to induce and ultimately control nucleation.



The project will be supervised by Prof. Klaas Wynne (chemical physics, optics, spectroscopy) and Dr. Adrian Lapthorn (biochemistry, protein crystallisation) and is supported by an ERC Advanced grant that started 1 September 2019.