| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S79732/01 |
| Title: |
Crystal Growth in Constrained Volumes |
| Principal Investigator: |
Meldrum, Professor F |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Bristol |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
24 May 2004 |
Ends: |
23 May 2007 |
Value (£): |
212,047
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Chemical Biology |
Chemical Structure |
| Materials Synthesis & Growth |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Chemicals |
| Healthcare |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The effect of confinement on inorganic crystal growth will be investigated. This has relevance to many naturally-occuring phenomena, including crystal growth in biological systems (biomineralization) and weathering. We present the first systematic study of inorganic crystal growth in constrained volumes. Calcium carbonate will be grown within the pores of polycarbonate Track-etch membranes and in templates with sponge-like structures. Track-etch membranes are permeated by regular cylindrical pores and provide a simple and elegant model system for investigating crystal growth in constrained volumes. In preliminary studies we have also shown for the first tine that it is possible to produce single crystals of calcite with complex sponge-like structures by growing the crystals in polymer membranes with identical morphologies. Previously, crystals with such morphologies were restricted to biological systems. Both of these systems wil be investigated further to determine the effect of the dimensions and chemical environment of the restricted volume and factors such as temperature, ionic concentrations and the presence of inorganic and organic additives, on crystallisation. The formation of an amorphous calcium carbonate precursor phase nay also be important in morphological control and will be investigated. The insight gained from these systems will then be applied to alternative templates with similar sponge-like structures (such a porous glasses) and to a wider range of alternative inorganic crystals such as ZnO, MgC03, CdC03 and FeC03.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bris.ac.uk |