A. Wilson
Butler University,
Keywords:
This meta-analysis of Butler University Databases containing 661 crystals that were grown in microgravity on orbital vehicles between 1973 to the present is based on publicly available information documented in the literature. This analysis provides comparisons of crystal metrics including size, definition, uniformity, mosaicity, diffraction quality, resolution limits, B factor and improved performance between crystals grown in microgravity or terrestrially. Improvement in at least one of these metrics was observed for 81% of all studies, and 91% of those materials that included data in their studies. The impact of improved crystals on national security, US leadership in industries that utilize crystal growth (pharmaceuticals, technology, semiconductors), and job creation in technical areas will be discussed.