Coming from a semiconductor crystal growth background, I really love these articles. I wonder what could be accomplished by further controlling the growth environment. From my understanding, the growth-rate of these crystals is limited by the availability of mass i.e. the slow evaporation of water out of the suspension liquid increases the MSG concentration which in turn makes condensation of MSG onto the seed crystal energetically favorable.

Generally, the most energetically favorable outcome is for these condensing molecules to incorporate into the 'ideal' location within the crystal lattice, forming a single-crystalline mass. From the images we can see condensation on walls of the container which indicates that 'non-ideal' incorporation is prevalent.

One way to combat this is to the raise the growth temperature, such that molecules that condense into non-single-crystalline locations are more likely to just dissolve back into the solution. Finding this optimal temperature where molecule-glass condensation is unlikely but molecule-crystal lattice is likely is, naturally, difficult.

Lots of nobs to turn in a process like this. It's fun to imagine how you might construct a proper growth reactor that allows more precise control of temperature and mass flux.