Method for limiting growth of KDP-type crystals with a long seed where an upper and a lower ends of the long seed crystal are respectively limited by an upper baffle plate and a lower tray to restrain growth of a pyramidal surface and allow only four prismatic surfaces in [100] and [010] directions to grow. Finally grown crystal contains no pyramid-prism interface that severely restricts quality of optical element, and all cut optical elements have high optical quality. As four prismatic surfaces are subjected to highly similar growing environment and grow simultaneously, all optical elements cut therefrom have high optical uniformity. Due to uniqueness of a cutting angle of a KDP crystal frequency-tripled element, high cutting efficiency is achieved in the element, and an area of a maximum frequency-tripled element that may be cut is known in advance according to a horizontal size of the grown crystal.

Embodiments of the invention generally provide compositions of crystalline zeolite materials with tailored crystal habits and the methods for forming such crystalline zeolite materials. The methods for forming the crystalline zeolite materials include binding one or more zeolite growth modifiers (ZGMs) to the surface of a zeolite crystal, which results in the modification of crystal growth rates along different crystallographic directions, leading to the formation of zeolites having a tailored crystal habit. The improved properties enabled by the tailored crystal habit include a minimized crystal thickness, a shortened internal diffusion pathlength, and a greater step density as compared to a zeolite having the native crystal habit prepared by traditional processes. The tailored crystal habit provides the crystalline zeolite materials with an aspect ratio of about 4 or greater and crystal surfaces having a step density of about 25 steps/m.sup.2 or greater.

Embodiments of the invention generally provide compositions of crystalline zeolite materials with tailored crystal habits and the methods for forming such crystalline zeolite materials. The methods for forming the crystalline zeolite materials include binding one or more zeolite growth modifiers (ZGMs) to the surface of a zeolite crystal, which results in the modification of crystal growth rates along different crystallographic directions, leading to the formation of zeolites having a tailored crystal habit. The improved properties enabled by the tailored crystal habit include a minimized crystal thickness, a shortened internal diffusion pathlength, and a greater step density as compared to a zeolite having the native crystal habit prepared by traditional processes. The tailored crystal habit provides the crystalline zeolite materials with an aspect ratio of about 4 or greater and crystal surfaces having a step density of about 25 steps/m.sup.2 or greater.

A hydrothermal synthesis for LiFePO.sub.4 is provided. First, each raw material solution is prepared using a degassed water in advance, second, those solution are mixed by dripping in a fixed order, and then those materials are reacted in a hydrothermal synthesis, so that LiFePO.sub.4 is obtained in a predesigned form.

The present invention relates to new biomimetic mineralized apatite structures. The present invention also relates to processes for the production of new biomimetic mineralized apatite structures based on natural and synthetic protein scaffolds. In particular, the invention provides synthetic crystal having a hierarchical structure formed on an elastin-like polypeptide membrane or hydrogel. The invention also provides methods of making such crystals, both in vivo and in vitro, as well as kits comprising membranes or hydrogels with cross-linking agents and/or mineralization solutions. The invention also provides the use of such structures in methods of treatment.

A method for manufacturing a single crystal may be by solution growth from a seed crystal, in a unit including a tank and a growth platform having a lower plate. The method may include: fastening the seed to the lower plate; introducing a crystallization solution of density d.sub.S into the tank; treating the solution in order to render it supersaturated; bringing the seed into contact with the supersaturated solution; rotating the platform until the single crystal is obtained. Before bringing the seed into contact with the supersaturated solution, the method may include forming, in the tank, of a zone for trapping parasitic crystals of density d.sub.C by introducing, into the tank, a liquid, immiscible with the growth solution, of density d>d.sub.S and d<d.sub.c, which forms with the growth solution an interface located below the lower plate.

A method for manufacturing a single crystal may be by solution growth from a seed crystal, in a unit including a tank and a growth platform having a lower plate. The method may include: fastening the seed to the lower plate; introducing a crystallization solution of density d.sub.S into the tank; treating the solution in order to render it supersaturated; bringing the seed into contact with the supersaturated solution; rotating the platform until the single crystal is obtained. Before bringing the seed into contact with the supersaturated solution, the method may include forming, in the tank, of a zone for trapping parasitic crystals of density d.sub.C by introducing, into the tank, a liquid, immiscible with the growth solution, of density d>d.sub.S and d<d.sub.c, which forms with the growth solution an interface located below the lower plate.

Disclosed is a nonlinear optical (NLO) material for use in deep-UV applications, and methods of fabrication thereof. The NLO is fabricated from a plurality of components according to the formula A.sub.qB.sub.yC.sub.z and a crystallographic non-centrosymmetric (NCS) structure. The NLO material may be fabricated as a polycrystalline or a single crystal material. In an embodiment, the material may be according to a formula Ba.sub.3ZnB.sub.5PO.sub.14.

A device for growing a flat single crystal from a seed in a crystallization solution. A support element has a support face; a blocking element comprising a blocking face, positioned at a predefined distance from the support face to block the growth of the single crystal in a direction perpendicular to the support face; a seed protection member, configured to protect the seed during a crystallization solution treatment phase and to free a growth zone positioned between the support face and the blocking face during a rotation of the support element; the blocking element comprises a holding member that cooperates with the protection member, the holding member being movable between a first position where it holds the protection member against the support face during the treatment phase and a second position where the holding member is separated from the protection member and participates in the formation of the blocking face.

An object is to reduce variation in shape of crystals that are to be formed. Solutions containing respective raw materials are made in an environment where an oxygen concentration is lower than that in air, the solutions containing the respective raw materials are mixed in an environment where an oxygen concentration is lower than that in air to form a mixture solution, and with use of the mixture solution, a composite oxide is formed by a hydrothermal method.