crystal

Researchers at University of Limerick in Ireland have developed a new method of growing organic crystals that can be used for energy-harvesting applications.

The design of the novel type of smart crystals, which the researchers named Janus crystals, is inspired by desert plants and animals, which can survive in arid conditions.

Organic molecular crystals are an important class of materials in many industries, from pharmaceuticals and agriculture to electronics and explosives.

It is thought this behaviour is connected to the densely packed crystal structures of candidate materials.

But recently, one material in particular has piqued the interest of these researchers: macrocyclic molecular crystals.