¿Qué es un cristal?

Dr Leopoldo Suescun, PEDECIBA Investigator in Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de la República, and Dr. Alejandro Buschiazzo, PEDECIBA Investigator in Biology at the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, introduce us to the world of crystals, crystallography and X-ray diffraction. They explain that the atoms in a crystal are arranged in a precise way and that this ordering determines the physical, chemical or biological properties of the molecules or materials. They also describe the main techniques for structural analysis of polycrystals and single crystals using X-rays, and the types of information that can be obtained from experiments performed with different equipment. Also featuring Ing. Quím. Santiago Vazquez and Lic. Natalia Alvarez. This video was created as part of the activities of the International Year of Crystallography 2014 in Uruguay.

Created by TarkioFilm for PEDECIBA. Funded by ANCAP and PEDECIBA.

Category: Science & Technology.
Duration: 12m 32s
Language: Spanish.
License: Standard YouTube Licence

Celebrating crystallography

An animated celebration

X-ray crystallography is arguably one of the greatest innovations of the twentieth century, but not that many people know what it is or how it came about. Join us on an animated journey through the 100 year history of crystallography – from the pioneering work of William and Lawrence Bragg in 1913 to the surface of Mars!

Narrated by structural biologist Stephen Curry and produced by animation company 12foot6, the film explores the extraordinary history of crystallography. To date 28 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to projects related to the field and X-ray crystallography remains the foremost technique in determining the structures of a huge range of complex molecules.

This film was produced in celebration of the Bragg Centenary and was funded by STFC.

Published: 2013
Filmed: 2013. Duration: 3m 5s
Credits: 12foot6 / Royal Institution

License: © Royal Institution

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

School Crystallization Contest in Andalusia

Among the events planned for the International Year of Crystallography in 2014 are crystallization contests, encouraging students at secondary and high schools to learn the challenges and joy of growing high-quality crystals. This video celebrates the Final Contest in the 2012-2013 event held in Andalusia, Spain. More than 200 high school students gathered at the Faculty of Science, University of Granada, on 11 May 2013, to put into practice the full range of scientific methods from laboratory research to the presentation of their results.

Category: Science & Technology. Duration: 5m 00s
Licence: Standard YouTube Licence

The humble Braggs and X-ray crystallography

Solving the patterns of matter

As the field of crystallography celebrates its centenary year we look back at how it all began – with a father and son team and a humble salt crystal.

With the help of archive footage and historic objects from the Ri, Patience Thomson, daughter of William Lawrence Bragg, presents an intimate portrait of her father. From his detailed artworks to his love of detective stories and puzzles, Patience reveals how Lawrence’s unique character and analytical mindset led to numerous scientific breakthroughs.

Plus, find out how he reacted to receiving news of his Nobel Prize while serving on the front during WW1 at the age of 25 and discover how the Braggs applied their scientific knowledge to aid the war effort.

Professor Stephen Curry is also on hand to demonstrate just how important the Braggs' discovery was and how the field of X-ray crystallography has revealed the structure of hundreds of different molecules, from enzymes and proteins to entire viruses. The Braggs' discoveries of 1913 remain at the foundation of modern day techniques and, to date, 29 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to work related to X-ray crystallography.

Our thanks to Stephen Curry, Patience Thompson, and filmmaker Thom Hoffman.

This film was supported by the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).

Published: 2013
Filmed: 2013. Duration: 8m 56s
Credits: Thom Hoffman

 License: Creative Commons