Preface

Crystallization is certainly among the most studied processes in science and also of great practical importance. This is because crystals are the pillars of modern technology. Without crystals, there would be no electronic industry, no photonic industry, no fiber optic communications, solid state lasers, non-linear optics, piezoelectric, electro-optic or crystalline films for microelectronics and computer industries. In addition, crystallization is an elemental separation technique one of the most simple self-assembly processes to create order from the atomic to the macroscopic scale. Finally, crystallization creates beautiful crystals of esthetical value, which fascinate humankind already for centuries. Crystallization is an interdisciplinary subject covering physics, chemistry, material science, chemical engineering, metallurgy, crystallography, mineralogy, etc.

It is not astonishing that crystallization processes are already studied for a long time, beginning with alchemy and in a systematic, scientific fashion since the end of the 18th century. In the past few decades, there has been a growing interest on crystal growth and crystallization processes, particularly in view of the increasing demand of materials for technological applications. One might think that a process of such scientific and technological importance is well known down to the finest details after such intense studies for more than a century, but this is not true. Understanding crystallization from the atom level is still rather restricted, and it is the same for the interface of a crystal with solvent and other dissolved compounds.

The overall purpose of this book is to provide timely and in-depth coverage of selected advanced topics in crystallization. This text book goes into considerable detail concerning the many elements of knowledge needed to understand both quantitatively and qualitatively advanced subjects in crystallization process. The articles for this book have been contributed by the most respected researchers in this area and cover the frontier areas of research and developments in crystallization processes incorporating most recent developments and applications of crystallization technology. Divided into five sections this book provides the latest research developments in many aspects of crystallization including: chiral crystallization, crystallization of nanomaterials and the crystallization of amorphous and glassy materials. It is our hope that you, as readers, will find this book useful for your work. If so, this will be the nicest reward for us.

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I wish to thank all the authors for their contributions for this book and it is my pleasure to acknowledge the assistance of Ms Vana Persen for her assistance during the write-up of this book and is preparation in final format.

Finally I would like to acknowledge my family who has supported me through all the years of doing science. To my wife Dina von Schwarze and to our children Michael, Reut and Noa for their patience and support.

> **Prof. Yitzhak Mastai**  Department of Chemistry and the Institute of Nanotechnology Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel

**Section 1** 

**Chiral Crystallization** 
