Crystallization Time Research Articles

Interface-Engineered Atomic Layer Deposition of 3D Li4Ti5O12 for High-Capacity Lithium-Ion 3D Thin-Film Batteries.

Upcoming energy-autonomous mm-scale Internet-of-things devices require high-energy and high-power microbatteries. On-chip 3D thin-film batteries (TFBs) are the most promising option but lack high-rate anode materials. Here, Li4Ti5O12 thin films fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are electrochemically evaluated on 3D substrates for the first time. The 3D Li4Ti5O12 reveals an excellent footprint capacity of 20.23µAhcm-2 at 1 C. The outstanding high-rate capability is demonstrated with 7.75µAhcm-2 at 5mAcm-2 (250 C) while preserving a remarkable capacity retention of 97.4% after 500 cycles. Planar films with various thicknesses exhibit electrochemical nanoscale effects and are tuned to maximize performance. The developed ALD process enables conformal high-quality spinel (111)-textured Li4Ti5O12 films on Si substrates with an area enhancement of 9. Interface engineering by employing ultrathin AlOx on the current collector facilitates a required crystallization time reduction which ensures high film and interface quality and prospective on-chip integration. This work demonstrates that 3D Li4Ti5O12 by ALD can be an attractive solution for the microelectronics-compatible fabrication of scalable high-energy and high-power Li-ion 3D TFBs.

Acceleration of Zeolite Crystallization: Current Status, Mechanisms, and Perspectives.

Zeolites are important classes of crystalline materials and possess well-defined channels and cages with molecular dimensions. They have been extensively employed as heterogeneous catalysts and gas adsorbents due to their relatively large specific surface areas, high pore volumes, compositional flexibility, definite acidity, and hydrothermal stability. The zeolite synthesis normally undergoes high-temperature hydrothermal treatments with a relatively long crystallization time, which exhibits low synthesis efficiency and high energy consumption. Various strategies, e.g., modulation of the synthesis gel compositions, employment of special silica/aluminum sources, addition of seeds, fluoride, hydroxyl (·OH) free radical initiators, and organic additives, regulation of the crystallization conditions, development of new approaches, etc., have been developed to overcome these obstacles. And, these achievements make prominent contributions to the topic of acceleration of the zeolite crystallization and promote the fundamental understanding of the zeolite formation mechanism. However, there is a lack of the comprehensive summary and analysis on them. Herein, we provide an overview of the recent achievements, highlight the significant progress in the past decades on the developments of novel and remarkable strategies to accelerate the crystallization of zeolites, and basically divide them into three main types, i.e., chemical methods, physical methods, and the derived new approaches. The principles/acceleration mechanisms, effectiveness, versatility, and degree of reality for the corresponding approaches are thoroughly discussed and summarized. Finally, the rational design of the prospective strategies for the fast synthesis of zeolites is commented on and envisioned. The information gathered here is expected to provide solid guidance for developing a more effective route to improve the zeolite crystallization and obtain the functional zeolite-based materials with more shortened durations and lowered cost and further promote their applications.

Time crystal embodies chimeralike state in periodically driven quantum spin system

Chimera states are a captivating occurrence in which a system composed of multiple interconnected elements exhibits a distinctive combination of synchronized and desynchronized behavior. The emergence of these states can be attributed to the complex interdependence between quantum entanglement and the delicate balance of interactions among system constituents. The emergence of discrete-time crystal (DTC) in typical many-body periodically driven systems occurs when there is a breaking of time translation symmetry. Coexisting coupled DTC and a ferromagnetic dynamically many-body localized (DMBL) phase at distinct regions have been investigated under the controlled spin rotational error of a disorder-free spin-1/2 chain for different types of spin-spin interactions. We contribute a novel approach for the emergence of the DTC-DMBL-chimeralike state, which is robust against external static fields in a periodically driven quantum many-body system.

Exploring the thermal properties of biodiesel after purification via solvent-aided crystallization

Cooking oil undergoes rigorous purification stages before reaching the market, which likely contributes to the elevated purity achieved through solvent-aided crystallization (SAC). However, the utilization of cooking oil as biodiesel feedstock is not suitable as it is expensive, resource inefficiency and lack of sustainability. Therefore, utilization of unpurified crude palm oil (CPO) for biodiesel production is an effective replacement. This study aims to assess the efficacy of SAC using unpurified CPO as the biodiesel feedstock. Parameters investigated include crystallization temperature (6 °C–14 °C), crystallization time (20–40 min), and shaking speed (32 rpm–84 rpm). Analysis reveals that CPO exhibits a high pour point of 15.7 °C and a cloud point of 10.8 °C, indicating potential operational and storage challenges. However, crude biodiesel derived from CPO demonstrates improved characteristics, including reduced pour point, cloud point, viscosity, and density, similar to the improvements seen in purified biodiesel obtained after SAC. The findings indicate that the most suitable operating conditions to maintain low pour and cloud points are a crystallization temperature of 10 °C, crystallization time of 30 min, and shaking speed of 61 rpm. Despite these improvements, both crude and purified biodiesel surpass ASTM D6751 limits for pour and cloud points, underscoring the necessity for further optimization in biodiesel production to meet industry standards. This research highlights the potential of SAC in enhancing biodiesel quality from unrefined feedstocks, offering a cost-effective and scalable method for producing higher-quality biodiesel while addressing current limitations.

Solid-state continuous time crystal in a polariton condensate with a built-in mechanical clock.

Time crystals (TCs) are many-body systems that display spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry. We demonstrate a TC by using driven-dissipative condensates of microcavity exciton-polaritons, spontaneously formed from an incoherent particle bath. The TC phases are controlled by the power of a continuous-wave nonresonant optical drive exciting the condensate and the interaction with cavity phonons. Those phases are, for increasing power, Larmor-like precession of the condensate pseudo-spins-a signature of continuous TC; locking of the frequency of precession to self-sustained coherent phonons-stabilized TC; and doubling of TC's period by phonons-a discrete TC with continuous excitation. These results establish microcavity polaritons as a platform for the investigation of time-broken symmetry in nonhermitian systems.

Characterization of relaxation behaviour of CF/PEKK aerospace composites using the time-temperature-crystallinity superposition principle

In this study, the Time-Temperature-Crystallinity Superposition Principle (TTCSP) was applied to determine the viscoelastic behavior of Thermo-rheological Complex Materials (TCM), specifically Carbon fibre/Poly-Ether-Ketone-Ketone (CF/PEKK) composites. The study investigated the effects of various parameters on the viscoelastic behavior of the composites, such as the degree of crystallinity after different melting temperatures, relaxation, and crystallization times. The TTCSP was utilized on the relaxation data to generate great-grand master curves for the degree of crystallinity for different laminate lay-ups. Hot press forming was employed to manufacture samples under different processing conditions, including various melting and cold crystallization temperatures. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was employed to calculate the degree of crystallinity of CF/PEKK composites, while the Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) was used to obtain the relaxation data. The generated great-grand master curves proved effective in predicting the relaxation behavior of the composites consolidated using single and double hold cycles at different melting temperatures and crystallization times, respectively. The great-grand master curves presented in this study can serve as valuable tool to calibrate key viscoelastic and/or thermo-viscoelastic material models for aerospace-grade CF/PEKK composites. These models are crucial for simulations aimed at predicting residual stresses and process-induced deformations during the thermoforming process.

Crystallization dynamics probed by transient resistance in phase change memory cells

Crystallization (set) time is a key bottleneck to achieve high-speed programming in phase change memory (PCM). Overcoming this limitation requires a deeper understanding of the solidification processes within nanoscale device configuration. This study explores crystallization dynamics in Ge2Sb2Te5 by measuring the transient resistance and power during the set process in confined PCM cells with nanosecond resolution. The transient resistance probes the phase, while the power can be used to evaluate temperature, thus uncovering details of the phase change dynamics. Our findings reveal a notable trend indicating that solidification from the melt results in faster crystallization compared with annealing the glassy state. Moreover, we observed notable differences in the solidification dynamics during set (crystallization) and reset (amorphization) pulses. Our nanosecond transient measurement methodology proves valuable in revealing crucial aspects of PCM crystallization dynamics, holding the potential to enable higher-speed programming.

Metastable microporous lanthanide silicates – Light emitters capable of 3D-2D-3D transformations

The synthesis of zeolites and porous heteropolyhedral silicates is usually accompanied by crystal phase transformations. Typically, this process is irreversible and characterized by a conversion from a metastable phase to a stable one. Here we demonstrate a reversible transformation between porous (K3LnSi3O9·nH2O) and layered (K3LnSi3O8(OH)2) structures exemplified by a dual synthesis (hydrothermal and solid-state transformation). We discuss structural and photoluminescent properties of the obtained microporous lanthanide silicates MS-4 (Minho-Sofia, solid number 4; K3LnSi3O9·nH2O, Ln = Y, Dy; orthorhombic, Pmc21). These materials are metastable, transforming from 3D porous to a 2D layered structure after prolonged crystallization time at hydrothermal conditions and returning to the same but distorted (≈ 2 % smaller lattice volume) porous 3D framework by calcination of 2D structure. The mechanism of 3D-2D structure transformation is driven by interzeolite-like transformation, while the rearrangement of common structural fragments controls 2D-to-3D conversion. We also show how the avoidance of Dy and preference for Y ions during MS-4 hydrothermal synthesis may be overcome by a 2D-3D conversion, allowing the production of white light emitters with controllable photoluminescence.

Production of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Concentrates from Common Kilka Oil: Optimization of the Urea Complexation Process.

There has been an increase in interest in the application of ω-3 PUFAs, especially EPA and DHA, in the development of various food products owing to their myriad health benefits. However, most fish oils do not contain more than 30% combined levels of EPA and DHA. In this study, through the urea complexation procedure, the production of EPA and DHA concentrate in their free fatty acids (FFAs) form was achieved from an enzymatic oil extracted from common kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris caspia). To gain the maximum value of EPA and DHA, the response surface methodology (RSM), which is an effective tool to categorize the level of independent variables onto the responses of an experimental process, was also used. Different variables including the urea-fatty acids (FAs) ratio (in the range of 2-6, w/w), the temperature of crystallization (in the range of -24-8 °C), and the time of crystallization (in the range of 8-40 h) were investigated by response surface methodology (RSM) for maximizing the EPA and DHA contents. Following the model validation, the levels of the variables at which the maximum desirability function (0.907 score) was obtained for response variables were 5:1 (urea-FAs ratio), -9 °C (the temperature of crystallization), and 24 h (the time of crystallization). Under these optimal conditions, increases of 2.2 and 4.4 times in the EPA and DHA concentrations were observed, respectively, and an increase in the concentrations of EPA and DHA from 5.39 and 13.32% in the crude oil to 12.07 and 58.36% in the ω-3 PUFA concentrates were observed, respectively. These findings indicate that the urea complexation process is efficient at optimizated conditions.

Timing and Kinematics of late Cenozoic Strike-slip Faults in the Western Tibetan Plateau: New Constraints from Provenance Analysis and Detrital Thermochronology

The activities of the three large strike-slip fault systems—the Karakoram, the Karakax, and the Longmu Co-Guozha Co faults—located in the western Tibetan Plateau have induced the intense exhumation of the Karakoram and the southern Western Kunlun ranges. However, the histories of these faults remain debated or loosely constrained, partly due to the restricted access to bedrock samples and associated comprehensive analyses. The application of detrital provenance analysis and detrital thermochronology to sediments can provide valuable information on the locations, crystallization timing, and exhumation of the source terranes of the sediments, thereby shedding light on tectonic histories. This study utilizes modern fluvial sand to obtain exhumation information on the Karakoram and the southern Western Kunlun ranges and to reconstruct the history of the major faults. We achieve this through provenance analysis (heavy-mineral analysis and detrital zircon UPb dating) and detrital apatite fission-track dating. Our results reveal widespread Paleogene rock exhumation across the western Tibetan Plateau and focused mid-Miocene (ca. 15–12 Ma) exhumation along the Karakoram and the southern Western Kunlun ranges. Moreover, the Karakoram Range experienced renewed exhumation at ca. 7 Ma. Through an integration of our results and regional geological evidence, we suggest that the focused mid-Miocene exhumation reflects the initiation of the Karakoram and the Karakax faults; the subsequent ca. 7 Ma exhumation episode of the Karakoram Range indicates a regional kinematic reorganization due to the initiation of the Longmu Co-Guozha Co Fault. We propose that the middle and late Miocene strike-slip faulting in the western Tibetan Plateau was driven by the oblique underthrusting of the Indian lithosphere.

In situ apatite and carbonate Lu-Hf and molybdenite Re-Os geochronology for ore deposit research: Method validation and example application to Cu-Au mineralisation

The development of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-Q-MS/MS) opens new opportunities to rapidly date a variety of hydrothermal minerals. Here we present in situ Lu-Hf and Re-Os dates for hydrothermal apatite and molybdenite, respectively. We further report the first in situ Lu-Hf dates for bastnäsite, dolomite, and siderite, and assess their potential for constraining ore deposit geochronology. For method validation, we report isotope-dilution Lu-Hf dates for apatite reference material Bamble-1 (1102 ± 5 Ma) and calcite reference material ME-1 (1531 ± 7 Ma), enabling improved accuracy on matrix-matched calibration for LA-ICP-MS/MS Lu-Hf dating. The new methods are applied to the Vulcan Iron-Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) prospect in the Olympic Cu-Au Province of South Australia. Such deposits have been difficult to accurately date, given the general lack of reliable mineral geochronometers that are cogenetic with IOCG mineralisation. Hydrothermal apatite Lu-Hf dates and molybdenite Re-Os dates demonstrate that mineralisation at Vulcan largely occurred at ca. 1.6 Ga, contemporaneous with the world class Olympic Dam deposit. Our data also indicates that the Lu-Hf system in apatite is more robust than the U-Pb system for determining the timing of primary apatite formation in an IOCG system. We further demonstrate that dolomite can retain Lu-Hf growth ages over an extended time period (>1.5 billion years), providing constraints on the timing of primary ore mineral crystallisation during brecciation and IOCG mineralisation. Finally, late Neoproterozoic (ca. 589–544 Ma) and Carboniferous (ca. 334 ± 7 Ma) Lu-Hf dates were obtained for texturally late Cu-bearing carbonate veins, illustrating that the carbonate Lu-Hf method allows direct dating of Cu remobilisation events. This has important implications for mineral exploration as the remobilised Cu may have been transferred to younger deposits hosted in Neoproterozoic sedimentary basins overlaying the Olympic IOCG province.

Cystine Renal Calculi: New Aspects Related to Their Formation and Development.

Background: Crystallization experiments of renal-calculi-forming compounds (calcium oxalate, calcium phosphates, uric acid) are normally performed by monitoring these processes during periods of time similar to the residence of urine inside the kidney. Nevertheless, cystine requires high supersaturation for its crystallization, and most experiments last for longer periods. It must be considered that at high supersaturation, the inhibitors of crystalline development have poor effects. Methods: The induction time of crystallization (ti) of cystine in experimental conditions similar to those of the formation of cystine renal calculi and the effect of different cystine-binding thiol agents was determined through turbidimetric measurements. We also studied the macro- and microstructure of 30 cystine kidney stones through stereoscopic microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results: Under the studied conditions, the ti in absence of crystallization inhibitors was 15 min, and the presence of 9 mM of penicillamine, tiopronin, or N-acetylcysteine totally inhibited crystallization, as their effects relate to the formation of complexes with cystine, although N-acetylcysteine also delayed cystine crystalline development and modified cystine crystal morphology. Cystine stones have traditionally been classified as smooth and rough. The study of their structure shows that all of them begin their formation from a few crystals that generate a compact radial structure. Their subsequent growth, depending on the renal cavity where they are located, gives rise to the rough structure in the form of large blocks of cystine crystals or the smooth structure with small crystals. Conclusions: To prevent the development of cystine renal stones, the formation of small crystals must be avoided by reducing urinary cystine supersaturation, with N-acetylcysteine being the most effective among the studied cystine-binding thiol agents. Also, the removal of cystine crystals through increased water intake and physical activity can be a very important preventive measure.

Synthesis and thermally-induced gelation of interpenetrating nanogels

Thermally-induced in-situ gelation of polymers and nanogels is of significant importance for injectable non-invasive tissue engineering and delivery systems of drug delivery system. In this study, we for the first time demonstrated that the interpenetrating (IPN) nanogel with two networks of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly (N-Acryloyl-l-phenylalanine) (PAphe) underwent a reversible temperature-triggered sol-gel transition and formed a structural color gel above the phase transition temperature (Tp). Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies confirmed that the Tp of IPN nanogels are the same as that of PNIPAM, independent of Aphe content of the IPN nanogels at pH of 6.5 ∼ 7.4. The rheological and optical properties of IPN nanogels during sol-gel transition were studied by rheometer and optical fiber spectroscopy. The results showed that the gelation time of the hydrogel photonic crystals assembled by IPN nanogel was affected by temperature, PAphe composition, concentration, and sequence of interpenetration. As the temperature rose above the Tp, the Bragg reflection peak of IPN nanogels exhibited blue shift due to the shrinkage of IPN nanogels. In addition, these colored IPN nanogels demonstrated good injectability and had no obvious cytotoxicity. These IPN nanogels will open an avenue to the preparation and thermally-induced in-situ gelation of novel NIPAM-based nanogel system.

Quantum thermodynamics of boundary time-crystals

Time-translation symmetry breaking is a mechanism for the emergence of non-stationary many-body phases, so-called time-crystals, in Markovian open quantum systems. Dynamical aspects of time-crystals have been extensively explored over the recent years. However, much less is known about their thermodynamic properties, also due to the intrinsic nonequilibrium nature of these phases. Here, we consider the paradigmatic boundary time-crystal system, in a finite-temperature environment, and demonstrate the persistence of the time-crystalline phase at any temperature. Furthermore, we analyze thermodynamic aspects of the model investigating, in particular, heat currents, power exchange and irreversible entropy production. Our work sheds light on the thermodynamic cost of sustaining nonequilibrium time-crystalline phases and provides a framework for characterizing time-crystals as possible resources for, e.g. quantum sensing. Our results may be verified in experiments, for example with trapped ions or superconducting circuits, since we connect thermodynamic quantities with mean value and covariance of collective (magnetization) operators.

Discrete time crystal phase of higher dimensional integrable models

This paper investigates the possibility of generating Floquet-time crystals in higher dimensions (d≥2) through the time-periodic driving of integrable free-fermionic models. The realization leads to rigid time-crystal phases that are ideally resistant to thermalization and decoherence. By utilizing spin-orbit coupling, we are able to realize a robust time-crystal phase that can be detected using novel techniques. Moreover, we discuss the significance of studying the highly persistent subharmonic responses and their implementation in a Kitaev spin liquid, which contributes to our understanding of time translational symmetry breaking and its practical implications.

Amine-free synthesis of high-silica ZSM-5 assisted with calcined silicalite-1 and ethanol with the investigation of mechanism

Amine-free synthesis of high silica ZSM-5 with high crystallinity and well-defined morphology was challenging. In this work, ZSM-5 with the fed silica-alumina ratio (SAR) of 100 was rapidly synthesized with the assistance of the calcined silicalite-1 seed and ethanol, and their crystal structures, morphology and microporous properties were characterized by XRD, SEM, FT-IR, ICP and N2 adsorption-desorption and so on. Firstly, the crystallization temperature was optimized between 140 and 180 °C at a certain alkalinity and ethanol content, and 160 °C was selected to not only provide high crystallization rate but also ensure the stability of high-silica skeleton. Secondly, the influences of the EtOH/SiO2 ratio, Na2O/SiO2 ratio and crystallization time on the crystallization of high-silica ZSM-5 were investigated at 160 °C. The results showed well-crystalline high-silica ZSM-5 could be synthesized within a wide range of the EtOH/SiO2 ratios (0.5–2.0) and the increase of ethanol content slightly inhibited the growth of ZSM-5 along b-axial of hexagonal prisms due to the preferential adsorption of excess ethanol on the {010} crystal plane and the formation of Si–O–C2H5; high alkalinity was favorable for the preparation of a small-sized and well-crystalline ZSM-5 due to the rapid depolymerization of calcined seed and the contribution of mass nucleation sites; meanwhile, excellent micropore characteristic of high-silica ZSM-5 further proved that the synthetic strategy of seed + ethanol was feasible. Finally, the synergistic action mechanism of calcined seed and ethanol for the synthesis of high-silica ZSM-5 was revealed that silicalite-1 with MFI structure unit combined with Na+(H2O/EtOH) with larger radius were very important for rapidly assembly of a large number of silica species into MFI framework.

Magnetic polyamide 11 powder for the powder bed fusion process by liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization

Herein, we demonstrate the preparation of magnetic polyamide 11 feedstock powders for powder bed fusion (PBF) using liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization. By adding magnetic nanomaterials during the precipitation process, the particulate additive is incorporated into the polymer matrix. This enables the production of filled systems at single particle level, which is advantageous in terms of the adjustable magnetic strength and homogeneity of the powder. Thermogravimetric analysis is used to determine the additive content and onset temperature of decomposition of composite powders, where additive-enhancement of PA11 powders with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles showed a positive influence on the thermal stability of the feedstock. Successive analysis of particle size distribution, shape, colour, crystal structure, magnetic properties and thermal properties of the composite powders are carried out and their properties are discussed with respect to the PBF process. A decrease in particle size, width of the thermal process window and isothermal crystallization time can be attributed to the nucleating effect of the magnetic additive. The PBF processability of the composite feedstock is demonstrated by the production of magnetic tensile bar specimens from additive-enhanced PA11 powders with 1 wt.-% magnetic iron oxide.

The Petrographic Characteristics and U-Pb Zircon Isotope Age of Felsic Extrusive Rocks in the Western Thanh Hoa Area, Song Ma Suture Zone

Felsic extrusive rocks are widely distributed in the western region of Thanh Hoa, primarily comprising rhyolite and rhyolitic tuff formations. They show porphyritic textures, and are composed of 15–25% phenocrysts and 75–85% groundmass. Phenocrysts are mainly euhedral–subhedral plagioclase (5-10 vol.%), K-feldspar (5-10 vol.%) and quartz (5-10 vol.%). The groundmass consists of plagioclase (30-45 vol.%), K-feldspar (25-40 vol.%), quartz (30-40 vol.%), and minor biotite with random distribution. In terms of geological context, these extrusive rocks overlie Silurian-Devonian sequences of sandstone and siltstone interbedded with shale and limestone lenses, and were intruded by the Early Triassic granite of the Song Ma complex. Zircons selected from rhyolite were LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dated, yielding an age of 253 Ma. This age is the timing of the magma crystallization, corresponding to the Late Permian - Early Triassic Indosinian tectonomagmatic event. These findings together with historical study results, prove that the Indosinian magmatic event widely occurred in the Truong Son belt, the Song Ma domain and the Kon Tum area. The eruption of the rhyolite is linked to the amalgamation between the South China and Indochina blocks.

Efficient estimation of crystal filterability using the discrete element method and the Kozeny-Carman equation

A new method is proposed for efficiently predicting filter cake resistance as a function of crystal size distribution. The method is useful for the preliminary design of processes where an economic tradeoff is encountered between a crystallization step and a filtration step. In that case it is necessary to estimate the filter cake resistance repeatedly as a function of crystal size distribution for the process design and optimization. The method is faster than CFD-DEM and more precise than the random packing assumption. The proposed method is validated using published experimental data. To demonstrate the proposed method, an integrated crystallization-filtration process of ammonium alum is simulated and analyzed. The results show that by increasing the residence time of ammonium alum crystals in the crystallizer from 15 min to 60 min, the crystal cake resistance can be reduced by 42% and the filter area can be reduced by 23%.

Investigation on The Effect of Low Frequency Ultrasound on The Crystallization of a Pharmaceutical Compound L+ Ascorbic Acid

One of the most crucial processes in the chemical processing industry is crystallization, which has the major challenge of producing solid products with the required purity and properties. The standard crystallization methods have various processing limitations; hence, research into alternative methods like ultrasonic-assisted crystallization has been at the forefront. The present work investigates the application of low-frequency ultrasound irradiation (40 kHz) for improving the cooling crystallization of ascorbic acid. The impact of ultrasonic irradiation on crystal size, shape, and induction time has been studied, and a comparison with the conventional method has been made. The standing time had a minor effect on particle size on average, while the initial temperature had a far more significant impact. Photographic analysis using image-analysis software indicated that when ultrasound was applied to the saturated solutions, the resulting crystals were smaller and more uniform in size and shape. The resultant crystal grows predominantly in a single direction, resembling thin prisms. The use of ultrasound was also shown to reduce the induction time significantly. This ultrasonic impact is stronger at lower initial temperatures. Indeed, the smallest induction time of 300 s was obtained for sonicated solutions at an initial temperature of 65°C and ultrasonic power of 250 w. When different levels of ultrasonic power dissipation were tested, it was established that the time required for the first nuclei to appear decreased as the power increased. There was, nevertheless, a marginal impact on average crystal size.