<< The weaker interaction causes the molecules to slide past each other and dislocate during crystal growth, resulting in an unusual, irregular crystal. According to Guoquing Zhang, ‘at room temperature, there is a high probability that crystal growth will be dictated by random fluctuations, resulting in a curvy fractal structure’ >>
Thomas Foley. Fractal crystals win fashion design contest. 14 May 2017
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/fractal-crystals-win-fashion-design-contest/3007277.article
<< The crystals of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(pyridin-2-yl)propane-1,3-dione exhibited rarely seen curved fractal structures under an optical microscope. Weak intermolecular interactions may result in dislocation during crystal growth and thus the irregular crystalline structures. The micrographs of the crystals were exploited for their artistic value and were transferred onto fabrics for application in fashion design. >>
Zongzheng Qian, Dongxue Li, et al. Curved fractal structures of pyridine-substituted β-diketone crystals. CrystEngComm. 2017, 19, 2283-2287. doi: 10.1039/C7CE00462A
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2017/CE/C7CE00462A#!divAbstract