IISER MOHALI

Abstract: Crystalline materials are ubiquitous in nature and technology. Whether growing crystals for solar cells, modeling ice formation in clouds or preventing kidney stones, there is a need for accurate mechanistic descriptions of crystal growth. Traditional models presume crystals grow by diffusion and attachment of individual particles to a growth interface. However, that assumption is structurally and thermodynamically invalid for melt and saturated solution crystal growth. Research into the structure of melt and solution structure provides the critical insight necessary to understand the melt/solution à crystal first-order transition. It becomes clear that crystal growth requires cooperative-ensemble descriptions of condensed matter instead of traditional independent particle assumptions. From this, we developed the Transition Zone Theory (TZT), a condensed matter analog to the classic Eyring transition state theory. In this talk, I will demonstrate how TZT accurately describes (and can predict) the rate of crystal growth as a function of temperature, concentration, and solvent in diverse systems. This new paradigm resolves mechanistic riddles and provides correct mechanistic insights that can be used to address the grand challenges of Climate and Earth Changes, Sustainable Energy, and Health.

Bio-James (Jim) D. Martin (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.):
Prof. James (Jim) Martin completed a BA in Chemistry and Biology from Goshen College (1986) and a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at Indiana University, Bloomington, under the direction of Malcolm Chisholm (1990). He conducted postdoctoral research in the Laboratoire de Chimie Théorique at the University of Paris, Orsay, under the direction of Enric Canadell, and at Iowa State University under the direction of John D. Corbett. In 1994, Dr. Martin obtained a faculty position in the chemistry department at North Carolina State University, where he currently is a full professor. His research program is focused on the synthesis, structure, physical properties, and reaction mechanisms of materials at the interface of molecular and solid-state chemistry. He is the recipient of an NSF CAREER award, was named a Cottrell Scholar by the Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement, and received the American Chemical Society Outreach Volunteer of the Year award, among other awards. Dr. Martin also does extensive work with high school chemistry-teacher professional development, as well as with various science and education public policies. He served four terms as an elected member of the Wake County (NC) Board of Education. He is also a Co-founder of Mintrition Technologies, LLC.