Simple Geometry for Diffusion Limited Protein Crystal Growth: Harnessing Gravity to Suppress Convection

A new upside-down geometry is proposed to achieve the beneficial effects of microgravity crystal growth by making use of buoyant forces instead of compensating for them. We show by growth experiments on sodium chlorate and lysozyme that crystal growth in an upside-down geometry leads to the formation of a buoyancy assisted depletion zone where convection is suppressed. The effects on growth rate and morphology that are observed are all...