Pictures of our crystallography teaching models

We produce a number of models that are ideal for teaching crystallography. Understanding symmetry in crystal structures can prove to be a difficult subject for many students and, consequently, equally difficult for educators to teach. Our models can help in that process; physical models of crystal structures have a long histry of helping students tobetter visualize the complex symmetries that can exist within crystal structures.

There is a school of thought that new technology, particularly 3d-visualisation, allows the easier understanding of three dimensional arrangements. In reality, it isn't that simple: many people simply cannot perceive depth in computer images of any kind, because depth perception results from numerous factors that go beyond simple binocular vision. 3d computer images rely on simply binocular visualisation, but there are other depth cues that work to provide us with three dimensional images - motion parallax, relative scale, relative focus, aerial and linear perspective, and texture gradients all contribute to our ability to perceive depth. If your perception of binocular disparity is relatively weak, you rely all the more on the other cues - and if they don't exist, you can't perceive that simulated third dimension.

Our molecular models designed specifically for crystallography include sets of the 32 point groups, the 7 crystal systems, the 14 Bravais lattices, coordination polyhedra, plane groups, frieze groups, and a host of other ideas - if you can think of anything that you need, which we've missed, let us know and we'll happily look into making any models that you want.

Clicking on an image will bring up a larger version of the picture.

All images on these web pages are © Miramodus Ltd. However, you are very welcome to use the images for non-profit or educational purposes in accordance with our image use terms.

Molecular models of the seven crystal systems	Atom model	The 14 Bravais Lattices
Molecular models of Coordination Polyhedra	Crystal planes	Crystal planes
Edge dislocation 1	Edge dislocation 2	Face Centred Cubic Structure
Gallium arsenide showing 111, 100 and 110 faces	Space group Ia-3d	Space group Ia-3d
Illuminated LiCoO2	Large diamond structure	Large wooden FCC structure
Large wooden BCC structure	Models used in installation for L'Oreal	533 polytope
533 polytope	screw dislocation	screw dislocation
Silicon showing 100, 110 and 111 faces