Over the last two decades, the use of template surfaces to induce heterogeneous crystal nucleation has been explored primarily to address two different goals: first, as an alternative to the conventional seeding technique used for polymorph control and, second, as a technique to promote the nucleation rate in novel crystallisation processes and formulations. The former need conceivably arises due to the risk of crystallising a new polymorph despite pre-seeding the solution with the desired crystal form. In this context, we review ongoing efforts in the Research Article area of template-induced crystallisation, covering both experimental and simulation studies directed towards deeper understanding of the underpinning mechanisms. In addition, we report on the use of template-induced crystal nucleation as a process intensification technology for formulating drug substances and as a technique for enabling nucleation and polymorphic control during continuous manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

• Indian Institute of Technology Patna
• ASTAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore)
• National University of Singapore; Imperial College London

• API

1. API
2. Nucleation
3. polymorph control
4. Review article
5. template induced nucleation