Chemical experiments conducted in space often aim to better understand the structure of materials. The results can be applied, for example, in drug development or the production of higher-performance semiconductors. To map the atomic structure of materials, scientists need crystals with high internal order, which are examined using X-ray radiation.
On the International Space Station, crystals grown from solution tend to be larger, more regular, and contain fewer defects. This is because, in microgravity, there are no convection currents caused by density differences—currents that influence crystal growth on Earth.
For instance, key components of the HIV virus, which causes AIDS, have been crystallized in space to better understand their structure and support the development of effective treatments.
Several inorganic materials and high-molecular-weight proteins have already been crystallized on the International Space Station. At the HUN-REN Centre for Natural Sciences, researchers have developed a method for growing crystals from organic materials. This method is being tested in microgravity as part of the HUNOR Program. On the space station, crystallization takes place in a sealed environment without human intervention. The resulting crystals are returned to Earth for atomic-level structural analysis under terrestrial conditions.
The organic molecules used in these experiments form materials with hollow, framework-like structures. These new materials have a wide range of potential applications: storing small molecules such as carbon dioxide, selectively removing pollutants from material mixtures, or accelerating chemical reactions.
By gaining a deeper understanding of the relationship between a material’s structure and its physical-chemical properties, researchers move closer to creating new materials with targeted functionalities. This knowledge is valuable in both pharmaceutical research and materials science.
Organization: HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences
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