# The role of shear in crystallization kinetics: From suppression to enhancement

Source: [The role of shear in crystallization kinetics: From suppression to enhancement](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/68fa32491e209131ce886b37>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2025-10-24T19:24:49.908Z

Authors: David Richard, Thomas Speck

Published: 2015-09-29T11:03:10.000Z

## Abstract

In many technical applications, but also in natural processes like ice nucleation in clouds, crystallization proceeds in the presence of stresses and flows, hence the importance to understand the crystallization mechanism in simple situations. We employ molecular dynamics simulations to study the crystallization kinetics of a nearly hard sphere liquid that is weakly sheared. We demonstrate that shear flow both enhances and suppresses the crystallization kinetics of hard spheres. The effect of shear depends on the quiescent mechanism: suppression in the activated regime and enhancement in the diffusion-limited regime for small strain rates. At higher strain rates crystallization again becomes an activated process even at densities close to the glass transition.

## Recorded benchmark results

A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage.

## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/1509.08687>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/1509.08687.pdf>)