Evaporation from the protein solution promotes crystallization. Typically, a protein crystal grower has control only over the initial conditions of the experiment. In a variation on the standard process, a stream of dry nitrogen is routed through the chamber to evaporate water. The flow rate and duration are dynamically controllable by experimenters. The flow dynamics of the nitrogen stream affect the evaporation process, which in turn affects the size and quality of crystals produced.
Dynamic control is used to optimize protein crystal growth conditions.
Outcome A systematic way for understanding the complex physics underlying the process and optimizing the cycle.