Crystallization Design Institute

11/09/2026

Krystal Cabán Pérez is a third-year undergraduate Chemistry student at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Her long-term goal is to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. She is passionate about contributing to scientific advancements, and serving her community. She is excited to be part of the Crystallization Design Institute to work alongside the team dedicated to develop innovative formulations of pharmaceutical products. She looks forward to deepen her expertise in crystallization and manufacturing processes.

Welcome Krystal to !

18/08/2026

Check out our latest publication in 𝐶𝑟𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ & 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 ( Publications) reporting on particle engineering in a continuous crystallizer cascade.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.cgd.6c00525

In this study, we benchmark a 10-stage Tower Crystallizer (TWC) against a conventional MSMPR crystallizer using ketoconazole, a challenging API with a strong tendency to agglomerate. Our results demonstrate how spatially distributing supersaturation across a continuous crystallizer cascade enables advanced control over the crystallization process. We also show that distributed antisolvent addition provides an effective strategy for tuning critical quality attributes, including crystal size distribution, modality, and span.

This work represents a collaborative effort between the at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Molecular Sciences Research Center and colleagues at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Zaiput Flow Technologies, to advance crystallization technology. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Advanced Manufacturing Program (CMMI-2242255).

Many thanks to all co-authors:
Giovanni Aprile | Prem K. Reddy | RajanR. Bhawnani | Cedric Devos | Aniket Udepurkar | Yuma Miyai | Daanyaal Sajed | Aarna Jindal | Bruno Marco Inzillo | Richard D. Braatz | Allan S. Myerson | Torsten Stelzer

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Abstract. Crystallization is central to the purification and manufacturing of nearly all small-molecule pharmaceuticals. However, continuous crystallizatio

18/08/2026

Check out our latest paper, now published in 𝐶𝑟𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ & 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 ( Publications): “Crystallization for Manufacturing in Microgravity: Are We There Yet?”

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.cgd.6c00807

In this review, we take a manufacturing-focused look at microgravity crystallization research. While microgravity has long been recognized for its ability to improve crystal quality, our review highlights a critical gap between reported fundamental crystallization studies and the requirements for manufacturing in low-Earth orbit (LEO) and future in-space manufacturing (ISM).

We identified key challenges, including limited kinetic data, a lack of standardization, 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑢 process monitoring capabilities, infrastructure, and the need for manufacturing-oriented crystallizer designs suitable for microgravity environments.

This work was the result of a highly interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Wellesley College. The research was supported by:
· National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (80NSSC19M0148, 80NSSC25M7040)
· National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (T32GM144273)
· National Science Foundation (NSF) Advanced Manufacturing Program (CMMI-2242255)

Many thanks to all co-authors:
Maria del Carme Pons Royo | Erin Howard | Giovanni Aprile | Bria Morse | Anna Wadhwa | Jayna Wadhwa | Rodolfo Románach | Gerardo Morell | Richard Braatz | Lonnie Petersen | Torsten Stelzer

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Abstract. Crystallization in microgravity has been extensively investigated because of its potential to enhance crystal quality compared to terrestrial con

15/07/2026

We are excited to share our latest publication in 𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ featured in the special issue celebrating National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology & Education (NIPTE) 20 Years of Excellence!

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-026-04148-7

The growing demand for personalized medicine requires flexible formulation strategies of solid dosage forms with precise drug loading, controlled solid-state properties, and rapid quality assessment.

In this study, we demonstrate a solution-based drug impregnation strategy for the individualized formulation of crystalline warfarin sodium isopropanol, a narrow therapeutic index drug, using microcrystalline cellulose tablets as porous carrier. Raman-based process analytical technology enabled crystallization control and a non-destructive tablet analysis.

This publication is part of a broader collaborative research effort focused on integrated end-to-end pharmaceutical manufacturing spanning from chemical synthesis, crystallization, formulation, and process analytical technology for compounds such as Warfarin and Modafinil with the goal of enabling point-of-use manufacturing and advancing personalized formulation strategies.

Thanks to all co-authors and collaborators: Nicole Torres Colón | Lesly Yohana Carmona Sarabia | Aliou MBODJI | Indumathi Sathisaran | Jean-Christophe Monbaliu | Cornelis Vlaar | Jorge Duconge | Rodolfo Romanach | Torsten Stelzer

We also gratefully acknowledge the support from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation (NSF), including the Wisconsin–Puerto Rico Partnership for Research and Education in Materials as well as the UPR-UW Center for Advancing Research and Training for STEM Success, and the Nasa PR Space Grant Consortium (Gerardo Morell).

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Purpose Evaluating a solution-based drug impregnation strategy for individualized dose formulation of warfarin sodium isopropanol (WS-IPA), a drug with a narrow therapeutic index, using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) placebo tablets as porous carrier. Methods Two formulation strategies were invest...

10/07/2026

I am honored to share our publication of the latest online version of "𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧" in the 𝐾𝑖𝑟𝑘–𝑂𝑡ℎ𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝐸𝑛𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦, an established reference work in chemical engineering and industrial technology since 1949.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/0471238961.0318251918152119.a01.pub4

This crystallization chapter has a remarkable history of distinguished authors in crystallization science and engineering:

• 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 – A. Ralph Thompson ( of Pennsylvania)
• 𝟐𝐧𝐝 & 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 – J. W. Mullin ( of London)
• 𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 – W. Rousseau ( Institute of Technology)
• 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 (𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) – W. Rousseau ( Institute of Technology)
• 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟐 (𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) – Joachim Ulrich ( Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)
• 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟒 (𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭) – Joachim Ulrich ( Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)
• 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟏 (𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) – Joachim Ulrich and Stelzer ( Luther University Halle-Wittenberg)
• 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 (𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧) – Stelzer ( of Puerto Rico) and Lakerveld ( Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

To contribute to a reference work with such a distinguished lineage of authors is both a privilege and a responsibility to continue a tradition that has documented crystallization science and engineering for generations of researchers, educators, and practitioners.

My sincere thanks to my coauthor Lakerveld and to the editorial team at Wiley-VCH, led by Editor-in-Chief Ley, for the invitation to contribute to this enduring reference.

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This article provides an overview of crystallization that can be used by scientists and engineers, regardless of their familiarity with the operation. Key aspects of using crystallization for separat...

26/06/2026

I am pleased to share our latest collaborative publication in 𝑂𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ & 𝐷𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, where we review tools and approaches for automation in pharmaceutical crystallization.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.oprd.6c00057

Many thanks to all co-authors and collaborators who contributed to this exciting review:

Aprile | Sagmeister | Devos | Udepurkar | Destro | Molajafari | Stelzer| Youssef Ismail | Griffin | Braatz | Myerson

We are also gratefully acknowledge the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the partial support under the Advanced Manufacturing Program (CMMI-2242255).

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Crystallization is a key unit operation in the pharmaceutical industry for separation, purification, solid-form selection, and particle design. Yet, developing robust crystallization processes can be resource-intensive, since thermodynamics and kinetics both govern system behavior, resulting in nume...

08/06/2026

Crystallization Design Institute (CDI) is thrilled to welcome Tamara Taran to the . She is a rising junior majoring in chemistry at Brandeis University in Massachusetts, USA. She has a special interest in pharmaceutical chemistry, specifically focusing on the drug development process and will be joining the CDI for the summer. She will be working with Dr. Suresh Manivel on the topic of continuous crystallization process development and polymorphic transformation of pharmaceuticals. Outside of the lab, she enjoys hiking and exploring new places, but she also loves cozy nights spent crocheting and baking. Welcome to , Tamara!

08/06/2026

Crystallization Design Institute (CDI) is excited to welcome Laiba Haseeb to the . She is a rising junior at Brandeis University, majoring in Biochemistry and Chemistry with a minor in Business. Driven by a passion for dermatology, she intends to attend medical school and complete a dermatology residency after graduation. Her goal is to open her own practice and launch an inclusive skincare line tailored to all skin tones and types, with a focus on natural remedies rooted in South Asian culture. She will be working with Dr. Aliou Mobodji on the topic of continuous crystallization process development and stability studies of formulated crystalline solid dispersions. Outside of her studies, she enjoys reading, discovering new cafes, and spending time with animals and loved ones, usually with a coffee or matcha in hand. Welcome to , Laiba!

05/06/2026

Particle size is a critical quality attribute in conventional pharmaceutical formulations due to its strong influence on drug dissolution behavior. However, accurately characterizing particle size becomes significantly more challenging when drug substances are embedded within a solidified three-dimensional polymer matrix.

In our recent collaborative publication in the 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑃ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑠, we introduce a robust, non-destructive analytical pipeline based on X-ray micro-computed tomography to address this challenge:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378517326004941?via%3Dihub

I am grateful to all co-authors and collaborators for this exciting work!

We also sincerely thank the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Wisconsin - Puerto Rico Partnership for Research and Education in Materials, as well as the UPR-UW Center for Advancing Research and Training for STEM Success for their support.

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02/06/2026

Our latest work explores a simple idea: instead of avoiding undesired solid forms, why not use them strategically?

In this work, we present a crystallization and solid-form transformation strategy for nitrofurantoin (NIFU), where an initially undesired DMSO hemisolvate is intentionally leveraged as an intermediate to access the two commercially relevant crystalline forms (anhydrate β and monohydrate II).

Now published in 𝑂𝑟𝑔𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑐ℎ & 𝐷𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.oprd.5c00513

This study belongs to a series of research, which is part of a global initiative supported by the FDA, involving Universidad de Puerto Rico, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, University of Liège, , and National Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology & Education (NIPTE).

Thanks to all co-authors and collaborators:
Lin Lee | Molajafari | Koishybay | Miyai | Zimmermann | -Christophe Monbaliu | Vlaar | Romanch | . Noor-E-Alam | Myerson | Stelzer

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Crystallization of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is sometimes constrained by solvent selection and undesired solvate formation with challenging solid-form control. This study presents a crystallization and solid-form transformation strategy that exploits, rather than avoids, a solvate int...