1934–1987

Dislocation Theory and Kinetic Crystal Growth

Researchers established dislocation theory to explain crystal plasticity, yielding, and work hardening while advancing crystallography methods. Surface energy and growth kinetics guided layer-by-layer deposition, equilibrium shapes, and morphology control. Scientists consolidated a kinetic defect paradigm that integrated growth control, defect engineering, and advanced structure analysis. Bond valence parameters, high pressure crystallography, and non-classical ordering expanded the framework toward unconventional states.

Period 1934-1957: Researchers analyzed dislocation-mediated plasticity, surface spirals, layer growth, nucleation, and single-crystal synthesis[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Seminal texts on dislocation theory, surface energy, and X-ray diffraction guided decades of mechanical and structural research[1][9][19][20]. Period 1958-1987: Researchers united crystal growth kinetics[21][22][23][24], defect mechanics[25][26][27][28], advanced crystallography[29][30][31][32], quasicrystals[33][34][35][36], and high-pressure states[33][36][37]. Foundational parameters[38][39][40] and dislocation theories[41] shaped subsequent structural analysis and crystal design strategies.

1988–2001

Design and Supramolecular Architecture of Crystals

Crystal engineering emerged as the deliberate design of organic solids by controlling intermolecular forces and hydrogen bond patterns. Researchers utilized self assembly and coordination chemistry to construct three dimensional frameworks with tunable porosity and modular functionality. Advanced crystallography software platforms and structure prediction methods accelerated the exploration of crystal structure property relationships. These developments connected molecular interactions to macroscopic properties across magnetic, piezoelectric, and optical materials.

Period 1988-1994: Vapor deposition, coordination self-assembly, fullerene crystallography, and open-framework synthesis establish design rules for crystalline microstructure and modular porosity[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. Foundational intermolecular packing rules, diamond-like topological networks, automated powder crystallography, and electronic bonding analysis catalyze modern supramolecular architecture[19][7][20][21][22]. Period 1995-2001: Modular coordination chemistry and surface phenomena steer porous framework design and crystallization[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Graph-set analysis[41], supramolecular isomerism[42], and crystallography software platforms[43][44] guided subsequent network engineering.

2002–2015

Data and Topology Driven Crystal Engineering

Structure guided design and data driven structure property mapping united solid state systems through co crystal engineering and pharmaceutical phase analyses. Porous frameworks and metal organic frameworks emerged as modular architectures enabling tunable porosity and functional properties. A topology and secondary building unit driven paradigm later enabled rational design of metal organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks. Systematic engineering of these materials advanced gas uptake molecular sieving luminescence and catalysis.

Period 2002-2008: Researchers united structural design, co-crystals, and porous frameworks to map solid-state properties[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. CSD archives[6], MOF platforms[10], click chemistry[19], and Mercury tools[20] shaped subsequent design strategies. Period 2009-2015: Researchers engineered MOFs, COFs, and perovskites via secondary-building units and topology to control porosity, luminescence, gas uptake, and catalysis[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. Foundational SBU concepts, robust 2D COF crystallization, and visualization tools established rational design principles and vocabulary guiding structural chemistry[37][38][39][40].

2016–2024

Interface-Directed Crystallization and Nanoscale Design

Interface- and docking-site-driven growth control defined contemporary crystal engineering across organic-inorganic hybrids, enabling rapid crystallization and phase stabilization. Two-dimensional materials emerged as programmable crystal-chemistry platforms through basal-plane functionalization and in-plane ordering. Seeded growth and targeted docking-site design achieved single-crystal order in covalent organic frameworks. Meanwhile, compositional tuning of halide materials and perovskite derivatives advanced stable optoelectronic performance.

Period 2016-2024: Surface chemistry and seeded growth direct hybrid perovskites, MXenes, and frameworks[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Foundational studies on robust topologies, zirconium phosphonates, seeded COFs, encapsulated guests, and polymorphism shaped design[16][17][10][18][19].

Dislocation Theory and Kinetic Crystal Growth era

I. D. Brown and D. Altermatt

I. D. Brown[1] conducted research while affiliated with McMaster University[3] and the University of Southampton[4]. Through the paper Bond-valence parameters obtained from a systematic analysis of the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database[7], they contributed bond valence parameters that expanded the framework toward unconventional states. D. Altermatt[2] performed investigations at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne[5] and the Institute of Crystallography[6]. Working on the paper Bond-valence parameters obtained from a systematic analysis of the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database[7], they helped consolidate the kinetic defect paradigm by providing vital structural analysis tools.

Design and Supramolecular Architecture of Crystals era

Louis J. Farrugia and 3 others

Louis J. Farrugia[8], working at the University of Glasgow[12] and the National Tsing Hua University[13], contributed to the deliberate design of organic solids by developing computational tools. Through <i>WinGX</i>suite for small-molecule single-crystal crystallography[19], this work provided advanced crystallography software platforms that accelerated the structural characterization of crystals. R. Davis[9], conducting research at the University of Kansas[14] and the University of Alberta[15], advanced the control of intermolecular forces and hydrogen bond patterns. Through Patterns in Hydrogen Bonding: Functionality and Graph Set Analysis in Crystals[20], this research established systematic graph set analyses to decode hydrogen bonding in crystals. Joel Bernstein[10], affiliated with the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev[16] and The University of Texas at Austin[17], investigated the foundational patterns governing solid-state architecture. Through Patterns in Hydrogen Bonding: Functionality and Graph Set Analysis in Crystals[20], this contribution linked specific functional groups to predictable hydrogen bond patterns in organic solids. Liat Shimoni[11], conducting investigations at the Fox Chase Cancer Center[18] and the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev[16], explored the structural organization of molecular crystals. Through Patterns in Hydrogen Bonding: Functionality and Graph Set Analysis in Crystals[20], this work advanced the understanding of intermolecular interactions and hydrogen bond patterns in supramolecular architecture.

Data and Topology Driven Crystal Engineering era

Fujio Izumi and Koichi Momma

Fujio Izumi[21] conducted research while affiliated with the National Institute for Materials Science[23] and The University of Tokyo[24]. They contributed to structure guided design and data driven structure property mapping united solid state systems through co crystal engineering and pharmaceutical phase analyses by publishing <i>VESTA 3</i>for three-dimensional visualization of crystal, volumetric and morphology data[26], which provided essential visualization tools for analyzing volumetric and morphological data in crystal engineering. Koichi Momma[22] pursued investigations while working at the National Institute for Materials Science[23] and the National Museum of Nature and Science[25]. They advanced the era's main theme through the work <i>VESTA 3</i>for three-dimensional visualization of crystal, volumetric and morphology data[26], supporting structural analyses of modular architectures and porous frameworks through advanced three-dimensional data rendering.

Interface-Directed Crystallization and Nanoscale Design era

Yury Gogotsi and Babak Anasori

Yury Gogotsi[27], working at Drexel University[29] and Philadelphia University[30], advanced the programmable crystal-chemistry platform of two-dimensional materials through foundational synthesis and surface modifications. Through Guidelines for Synthesis and Processing of Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbide (Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i> MXene)[32], Synthesis of two-dimensional titanium nitride Ti₄N₃(MXene)[33], and Tuning the Basal Plane Functionalization of Two-Dimensional Metal Carbides (MXenes) To Control Hydrogen Evolution Activity[34], this research established processing parameters and basal-plane functionalization protocols for metal carbides and nitrides. Babak Anasori[28], affiliated with Drexel University[29] and Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis[31], further expanded the controlled fabrication and chemical tuning of these layered systems. This contribution was demonstrated in Guidelines for Synthesis and Processing of Two-Dimensional Titanium Carbide (Ti₃C₂T_<i>x</i> MXene)[32], Synthesis of two-dimensional titanium nitride Ti₄N₃(MXene)[33], and Tuning the Basal Plane Functionalization of Two-Dimensional Metal Carbides (MXenes) To Control Hydrogen Evolution Activity[34], which collectively advanced interface-directed crystallization and functional control in two-dimensional platforms.