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Crystal growth study is vital to tech future

Cougar News Services

Studies conducted by UH researchers are revealing insights into crystal growth -- a science that holds the key to improved computer chips, drug design and nuclear technology.

Itis hoped chemical engineer Peter Vekilovis study of insulin crystals can help explain why those particular formations donit encounter "step bunching," a crystalline phenomenon that occurs when molecules pile on top of one another as the crystal forms. When this occurs, a crystal is unsuitable for most technical applications.

"Step bunching is generally bad," Vekilov said in a press release. "There are whole meetings dedicated to step bunching."

Vekilov said step-bunching is whatis keeping computer technology sticking to silicon-based materials. Other metals could be more efficient, he said, but growing them without encountering step-bunching is difficult.

The study, co-authored by UH chemical engineering research associates Olga Gliko and Ilya Reviakine, was published electronically in the June 6 edition of Physical Review Letters.

"In this paper we explored why (step-bunching doesnit occur in insulin crystals) in order to better understand the physics involved and the process in general," Vekilov said.

Their findings indicate that insulin molecules form crystal layers regularly -- not in bursts like some crystal formations. The order of formation is gradual enough so that molecules donit "compete for supply" and thus form relatively even layers.

"The molecules first land on the surface of the layer, and then get into the step," Vekilov said. "The second most important thing is that the steps are generated almost regularly, they do not generate in bursts."

Vekilov is no stranger to crystals. His work with hemoglobin crystals -- the mineral in blood that carries oxygen molecules -- was featured in the journal Science. 

Heis also worked with KDP -- potassium dihydrogen phosphate -- which is used at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in each of 192 lasers used to study nuclear fusion.

Step-bunching often delays research at the lab because crystals have to be replaced when bunches form.
 

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