Predictive nucleation of crystals in small volumes and its consequences.

We propose another way of getting to the bottom of nucleation by using finite volume systems. Here we show, using a sharp tip, that a single nucleation event is launched as soon as the tip touches the supersaturated confined metastable solution. We thus control spatial and temporal location and demonstrate that confinement allows us to carry out predictive nucleation experiments. This control is a major step forward in understanding the factors influencing the nucleation process and its underlying physics.