microcrystals
Minute crystalline structures
Microcrystals are crystals so small they require magnification to see clearly, typically measuring in micrometers.
The term appears in materials science, pharmaceuticals, and geology: The drug was formulated as microcrystals for faster absorption.
Microcrystalline describes substances composed of such tiny crystals, as in microcrystalline cellulose or wax.
Forming ordered solid structure
- nucleationInitial cluster formation
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- supersaturationExceeding dissolution equilibrium limits
- seedingPlanting or ranking
growth · doping · annealing · sublimation · hydrothermal · polycrystalline · monocrystalline · recrystallization
Openwork of crossed strips
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- silicatesSilicon-oxygen bonded minerals
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
- habitSettled regular tendency
morphology · polymorphism · hexagonal · isometric · petrology · geology · stratigraphy · inclusions
Too small for optical viewing
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
- minusculeExtremely small in size
- infinitesimalQuantity approaching zero
grains · granules · particles · specks · clusters · aggregates · inclusions · nuclei
Wave bending between media
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- iridescenceColor shift from interference
- scintillationRapid light variation
- lusterSoft reflected light
brilliance · shimmer · glitter · sparkle · gleam · translucence · transparency · polarization
Partially conductive materials
- pharmaceuticalsManufactured therapeutic substances
- pigmentsColor-giving compounds
- catalystsReaction accelerators
- ceramicsHardened clay objects
coatings · abrasives · sensors · photovoltaics · drug-delivery · cosmetics · inks · composites
crystallization
Forming ordered solid structure
- nucleationInitial cluster formation
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- supersaturationExceeding dissolution equilibrium limits
seeding · growth · doping · annealing · sublimation · hydrothermal · polycrystalline · monocrystalline · recrystallization · melt
lattice
Openwork of crossed strips
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- silicatesSilicon-oxygen bonded minerals
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
habit · morphology · polymorphism · hexagonal · isometric · petrology · geology · stratigraphy · inclusions · aggregates
submicroscopic
Too small for optical viewing
- nanoscaleBillionth-meter dimension
- nanoparticlesUltrafine material fragments
- minusculeExtremely small in size
infinitesimal · grains · granules · particles · specks · clusters · aggregates · inclusions · nuclei · seeds
refraction
Wave bending between media
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- iridescenceColor shift from interference
- scintillationRapid light variation
luster · brilliance · shimmer · glitter · sparkle · gleam · translucence · transparency · polarization · dispersion
semiconductors
Partially conductive materials
- pharmaceuticalsManufactured therapeutic substances
- pigmentsColor-giving compounds
- catalystsReaction accelerators
ceramics · coatings · abrasives · sensors · photovoltaics · drug-delivery · cosmetics · inks · composites
- crystallographydislocations, crystallization, vacancies, interstitials, hexagonal
- optical mineralogythin section, extinction, polarized light, isotropic, anisotropic
crystal, micro, microscopic, crystallize, crystalline, microfiber, micromanage, microbrewery, crystallography