When will a MoSS form?
Establish the molecular and crystallographic rules that govern whether host and guest molecules are compatible.
The idea
What is a MoSS?
A molecular solid solution forms when a crystal of one molecular compound incorporates a small amount of another molecule within its ordered lattice.
The main molecule is the host; the added molecule is the guest or dopant. Even a small amount of guest can influence crystal structure, stability, shape, growth and physical properties.
MoSS programme aim
Making molecular solid solutions designable.
MoSS aims to establish the principles, methods and predictive tools needed to use molecular solid solutions as a reliable strategy for controlling crystal structures and properties.
MoSS work packages
Six connected areas of research.
WP1
Data & Design Rules
Build shared datasets and extract practical rules for MoSS design.
WP2
Screening & Crystallisation
Discover and prepare new host–dopant crystal systems efficiently.
WP3
Characterisation
Resolve their structures, disorder and resulting material properties.
WP4
Modelling
Explain and predict MoSS behaviour from molecular interactions.
WP5
Crystallisation Mechanisms
Reveal how dopants influence nucleation, growth and polymorphism.
WP6
Applications
Translate the emerging principles into useful molecular materials.
A molecular solid solution
Small changes can reshape material behaviour.
A guest molecule in a crystal can influence how the host material grows, dissolves and performs.
Programme questions
What MoSS is trying to learn.
What does the guest change?
Understand how solid-solution formation affects polymorphism, morphology, stability, growth, solubility and mechanical behaviour.
Can we predict it?
Build datasets, models and AI-enabled approaches that allow scientists to design promising systems before making them.
Programme community
A long-term collaborative effort.
MoSS is led by Professor Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza at Durham University. The programme brings together researchers from Durham, Leeds and Manchester and combines expertise in crystal engineering, high-throughput crystallisation, atomic-scale characterisation, modelling, engineering, data and AI.
The programme is funded by EPSRC and runs from September 2025 to March 2031.