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Acta Cryst. (2014). A70, C3
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Life was able to create (bio)chemical pathways to mineral structures of great complexity, breaking the symmetry of single crystals into complex textures exhibiting morphologies with continuous curvature forbidden in crystal symmetry. Materials with non-crystalline morphologies can be made out of crystalline phases by filling volumes or coating surfaces with curved shapes. However, what wonders and challenges engineers and material scientists is the ability of life to create such a complexity by self-assembly. The formation of architectures such as shells and other exoskeletons of living organisms is governed by organic molecules or matrices, which modify crystallization in a deliberate manner. Their influence provokes the breaking of the single crystal character of the mineral precipitation and often leads to sinuous shapes, which have been thought to be a sign of life, and distinguish these minerals from their inanimate, mostly euhedral counterparts. In this lecture I will review a laboratory inorganic route to these biological structures. It has been discovered that silica -an ubiquitous mineral in the geological record, particularly in the early years of the planet- has a strong influence on the precipitation of carbonate and hydroxides. Under alkaline conditions, the chemical coupling of silica with CO3= and OH- creates abiotic, purely inorganic, self-assembled structures made of millions of nanocrystals building textures of high complexity and showing morphologies with continuous non-crystalographic curvature. The process of self-assembly, driven by a pH-based coupling of the chemistry of carbonate and silicate, is explored for applications in materials science. I will also discuss the geochemical plausibility of these self-organized mineral processes in terms of their implication in the origin of life and primitive life detection. Figure 1: Chemically induced cooperative phenomena break the restricted point symmetry of single crystals into self-assembled nanocrystalline structures with complex shapes of continuous curvature.

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Acta Cryst. (2014). A70, C995
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The interest in multicomponent solid forms has increased in the last years within the pharmaceutical industry and also the solid-state community due to the possibility of obtaining materials with new properties [1]. Crystallization strategies, supported by solvent- and solid-based techniques, have also received attention in the search and development of methodologies for the screening of multicomponent crystals. In this work, ethenzamide, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug, was selected as a model drug to develop cocrystals on the basis of the synthon types using a series of phenolic coformers. Ethenzamide cocrystals and cocrystal solvates have been reported recently [2,3]. Liquid Assisted Grinding (LAG) and solution methods were used as synthetic tools. Attempts to produce cocrystals by LAG and Reaction Crystallization led to the formation of polycrystalline material. The solids obtained were then characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. Recrystallization by slow solvent evaporation was carried out when the above-referred techniques strongly suggest the formation of a new solid form. The structure of five new multicomponent solids has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Additional stability studies have been performed at controlled relative humidity conditions and followed by PXRD.

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Acta Cryst. (2014). A70, C1034
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"The ""Krystalla Project"" comprises a series of coordinated activities designed to promote crystallography and crystallization in society in the context of International Year of Crystallography (IYCr2014). "Krystalla" is a joint venture between the Laboratory of Crystallographic Studies of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and Triana Science & Technology, a company specialized in the development of crystallization technology for research and dissemination activities. "Krystalla" aims to: a) Increase awareness of the society about the importance of crystallography and its role in everyday life. b) Promote the IYCr2014 and reflect on scientific knowledge and the role of science in our society. c) Inspire young people and encourage public participation through exhibitions, lectures and demonstrations. d) Illustrate the universality of science and encourage education and research in crystallography. Through the following activities: 1) The itinerant exhibition ""Crystals: a world to discover"" which will exemplify the applications of crystallography on our daily life and the fundamentals behind it. 2) A series of workshops on ""popular crystallography"" and ""crystallography"" for kids. 3) The National Crystallization Competition in the School [1]. 4) A ""Flamenco show" entitled ""The Crystal and the Rose"" blending the art of Flamenco with crystallographic concepts like symmetry, the contrasting geometries of crystals and living forms or the emergence of order from disorder. 5) A didactic edition of the successful documentary ""The Mystery of the Giant Crystals"" including the making-off of the movie, short videos explaining the fundamentals and applications of crystallization and scientific notes for teachers. 6) The webpage "The House of Crystals" exclusively dedicated to the dissemination of crystallography and crystallization. 7) A series of didactic guides to use well known movies as crystallographic teaching and popularization materials. 8) The IYCr2014 promotional video [2]."

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Acta Cryst. (2014). A70, C1040
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The Crystallization Competition in the School is an innovative contest on Crystallography and Crystallization for young students aged 12-16, successfully tried in five yearly editions. During the 2013/2014 school year, the Competition is coordinated by the Specialized Spanish Group of Crystallography and Crystal Growth throughout Spain in seven hosting areas, culminating in a National Final with a selection of the best crystallization projects. Objectives: a) To stimulate scientific vocations amongst secondary school pupils through an enjoyable and enriching activity; b) To explain basic concepts of Crystallography and Crystallization taking advantage of the natural attraction of crystal growth; c) To communicate how researchers work and compete in a scientific environment; d) To bridge the gap between science and society by conveying the importance of Crystallography in everyday life. Development: 1. Training of secondary school teachers (October-November 2013). A number of workshops entitled `Crystallography in the School' are organised to provide school teachers with specific training in Crystallography and Crystallization; 2. Laboratory work and experimental follow-up (December 2013-March 2014). The students grow spectacular large crystals using an innovative crystallization kit of ADP under the guidance of their teachers, while developing a solid understanding of the concepts involved: solubility, supersaturation, nucleation and crystal growth. Students may also develop other crystallization projects related to the formation of geodes, common salt crystallization in its different habits, and crystallization in gels; 3. Intermediate/Regional Finals (April 2014). The best crystallization projects nationwide are selected to present their crystallization projects at the National Final in Madrid; 4. National Final (10 May 2014, headquarters of CSIC). The format is similar to a `Scientific Congress', where the students have to present a crystal model and a poster of their work. * Organized by: GE3C, CSIC and The Crystallization Factory. * Sponsored by: FECYT, MINECO and Triana Science & Technology.
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