Inspired by coral reefs, oyster shell and mineral complex structures in nature, Wim L. Noorduin and colleagues have studied the method to manually re-create the same design.
The "flowers" crystal is created by mixing barium chloride and alkaline silicate, also known as liquid glass, a glass of water. The reaction was combined with CO2 in the atmosphere to form crystals of barium carbonate in the water.

Scientists have discovered that as the crystals themselves bound together, it can adjust the shape, size and development by changing the temperature, the reaction of CO2 and acidity of water. For example, increasing levels of CO2 will produce large leaves, flat. Changing the acidity created ripples in the petals.
The curved petals, stems and pieces of jagged spikes are formed by silica carbonate crystals. The team can create the structure as well as on the glass plate.

The images were taken with a scanning electron microscope, using electronic to create images of microscopic images. The color is added digitally.
Noorduin said while looking through the electronic microscope, you're feeling a bit like diving in the ocean, watching the fields of coral and giant sponges ...
Control crystals have many applications in the field rather than just aesthetic. New technique brings out the awareness of how valuable the structure based on silicon formed in nature, can also be applied in the field of nanotechnology, such as optics and electronics.