SeedKristall

SeedKristall is a class of engineered seed crystals used to initiate and direct crystal growth in liquid or melt systems. By providing a predefined lattice template, SeedKristall seeds suppress random nucleation and orient subsequent growth, enabling more uniform crystals and controlled polymorphism. The term emerged in the early 2010s from academic and industry collaborations exploring seed-mediated crystallization; it is now used by multiple suppliers and research groups, sometimes as a brand name.

SeedKristall particles are typically micro- to nanoscale and feature surface functionalization that promotes epitaxial alignment with the target crystal lattice. They may be composed of inorganic, organic, or hybrid materials and are often coated or stabilized to resist dissolution in the crystallization medium. Manufacturing methods include controlled precipitation, solvothermal synthesis, and epitaxial growth on seed templates.

In pharmaceuticals, SeedKristall seeds aid in controlling polymorphism and particle size, improving process reproducibility and formulation performance. In materials science, they enable directed crystallization of metals, oxides, or organic compounds, supporting scale-up and defect reduction. In agrochemical production, seed crystals can influence crystal habit and dissolution properties.

Advantages include improved reproducibility, higher purity, narrower size distributions, and faster crystallization onset. Limitations include sensitivity to process conditions, potential regulatory scrutiny for pharmaceutical uses, and risk of seed contamination or unintended nucleation if not properly managed.

See also: Seed crystal, Nucleation, Crystallization, Polymorphism, Epitaxy.