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Crystal growth in China
Crystal growth in China has a long history, going back more than one thousand years. A book written by Cheng Daichang in the Song Dynasty explains that: "Salt becomes brine, exposing under the hot sun; square seals formed, white and lovely; first small then larger; some tens of seals train together." This is exactly the method of growing salt crystals from supersaturated solution by evaporation process. In fact, this kind of crystal growth method had appeared much earlier than it was recorded. The Chinese character of brine means salts in early time, and its pictograph symbolizes a birdseye view of brine evaporating: The square seals of salt crystals crystallized from regularly arranged salt pan.
Publish Date: 01 October 1990