How to grow a single crystal with Johanna

A simple introduction to growing a single crystal using basic apparatus as found in a school chemistry classroom.

Animation by Quidos
Category: Science & Technology. Duration: 4m 10s

 License: Creative Commons

Structure and Order. A century of symmetry with Judith Howard

A love of symmetry, pattern and colour

When the study of crystallography first began over a century ago, it would take scientists a year to read simple molecular structures. Technology advancements and corroborated methods have since shaped the crystallography landscape; enabling scientists, like Judith Howard, to solve simple molecular structures before her morning coffee!

Judith explains her love affair with crystallography and the ever-changing methods enabling quicker and simpler decoding of increasingly complex structures. Plus, learn about Judith’s experiences working with the inspirational pioneer of crystallography, Dorothy Hodgkin.

The interview with Judith Howard took place before her Friday Evening Discourse at the Royal Institution on 31 January 2014.

Published: 2014
Filmed: 2014. Duration: 4m 41s
Credits: Royal Institution

 License: Creative Commons

The Mystery of the Giant Crystals

The Cave of the Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) in the Naica Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico, houses some of the largest natural crystals ever found. They are selenite, a form of the mineral gypsum (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel Garcíia Ruiz and his colleagues investigate the conditions under which these huge crystals have grown over the course of thousands of years. The temperatures in the subterranean caverns are over 50°C, and the caves are filled with water containing a variety of minerals leached from the surrounding rocks.

Duration: 50m 53s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

El Misterio de los Cristales Gigantes

La Cueva de los Cristales en la mina de Naica, Chihuahua, México, alberga algunos de los más grandes cristales naturales que se han encontrado. Son selenito, una forma del yeso mineral (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel García Ruiz y sus colegas investigan las condiciones en que estos enormes cristales han crecido a lo largo de miles de años. Las temperaturas en las cavernas subterráneas son más de 50° C, y las cuevas están llenas de agua que contiene una variedad de minerales lixiviados de las rocas circundantes.

Duration: 50m 54s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

Il Mistero dei Cristalli Giganti

La Grotta dei Cristalli (Cueva de los Cristales) nella miniera di Naica, Chihuahua, Messico, ospita alcuni dei più grandi cristalli naturali mai trovati. Si tratta di cristalli di selenite, una particolare forma di gesso (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel García Ruiz e i suoi colleghi indagano sulle condizioni in cui questi enormi cristalli sono cresciuti nel corso di migliaia di anni. La temperatura nelle caverne sotterranee è oltre 50° C, e le grotte sono riempite con acqua contenente una varietà di minerali lisciviati dalle rocce circostanti.

Duration: 50m 58s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

Le Mystère des Cristaux Géants

La Grotte des Cristaux (Cueva de los Cristales) dans la mine de Naica, Chihuahua, Mexique, abrite quelques-uns des plus grands cristaux naturels jamais trouvés. Ils sont sélénite, une forme de gypse minéral (CaSO₄.2H₂O). Juan Manuel García Ruiz et ses collègues enquêtent sur les conditions dans lesquelles ces énormes cristaux ont grandi au cours de milliers d'années. Les températures dans les cavernes souterraines sont plus de 50° C, et les grottes sont remplis avec de l'eau contenant une variété de minéraux lessivés des roches environnantes.

Duration: 50m 58s

© 2014 Trianatech.com - All rights reserved

Plongée au cœur des molécules du vivant

"Voir pour mieux comprendre" pourrait être la devise du biologiste qui s’intéresse à l’architecture de macromolécules composant nos cellules. Or ces nano-objects sont de très petite taille et ne peuvent être observés directement au microscope. Aussi, pour obtenir une image précise à l’échelle de l’atome, il est nécessaire de faire appel à d’autres approches comme la cristallographie aux rayons X. Cette plongée au coeur des molécules du vivant retrace les étapes d’une étude cristallographique conduisant à la visualisation d’une macromolécule biologique. Le travail des chercheurs d’un laboratoire du CNRS (ARN, IBMC, Strasbourg) est suivi pas à pas depuis l’isolement et la purification d’une macromolécule à partir de cellules vivantes jusqu’à l’établissement de son image tridimensionnelle, en passant par sa cristallisation et l’analyse des cristaux à l’aide du rayonnement synchrotron. Ce film illustre des aspects méconnus du quotidien des scientifiques comme le clonage de molécules, l’utilisation de grands instruments tels que les accélérateurs de particules, ou la visualisation 3D.

Category: Education. Duration: 13m 26s

 License: Creative Commons

The Braggs' legacy

The sparkling history of crystallography

A documentary charting the history of crystallography that tells a fascinating story of a scientific technique that is revealing many of life’s most beautiful secrets. The film includes exclusive interviews with internationally acclaimed scientists and unique glimpses into rarely seen historical collections.

It celebrates the work and lives of the founding fathers of crystallography, Sir William Henry Bragg and his son, Sir William Lawrence Bragg. It also shows how 21st century science facilities are helping scientists to solve even more complex crystallography problems. Bragg’s Law is one of the most famous equations in science and has played a vital role in many subsequent discoveries, from the development of antibiotics to the uncovering of the double helix in DNA.

The film includes commentary and insight from leading international scientists from the UK, France, Italy, Australia and the USA, including Professor Sir Tom Blundell, Professor William Duax, Professor Davide Viterbo and Professor André Authier. Its launch coincides with UNESCO’s International Year of Crystallography, as well as the centenary of the Nobel Prize for Physics being awarded to the Braggs.

Published: 2014
Filmed: 2013. Duration: 44m 7s

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