A quasi-microgravity environment appears in a high-field superconducting magnet bore where a large magnetic force counterbalances gravity acting on a diamagnetic substance. This suppresses convection of the diamagnetic solution in the crystallization cell placed in the bore from which protein crystals precipitate.
A 16 T class superconducting magnet has been developed with a special coil configuration; one of the component coils produces a magnetic field the direction of which is opposite to that of the other coils. Thus, a large magnetic field gradient occurs, creating a magnetic force large enough to levitate water and hinder convection. This magnet system is operated in persistent mode, which is adequate for a rather time-requesting crystallization process of proteins. Preliminary experiments have shown that the protein crystallization process is substantially retarded in the magnetic force field. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B. V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Guest Editors.