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🧪 Crystal Formation Dynamics (2D)

A diffusion-limited-aggregation lab: randomly diffusing particles stick to a seed crystal one lattice cell at a time, building the same branching mineral structures the 3D cave shows — with live control over sticking probability, seed count and diffusion speed.

Crystals & Crystallization2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version
2d-crystal-cave ↗ Open standalone

This 2D companion swaps the 3D cave's decorative crystal props for the actual growth process behind them: a diffusion-limited-aggregation (DLA) simulation where randomly diffusing "vapor" particles random-walk toward a seed crystal and stick on contact, building the same branching mineral structures real crystals and dendrites form. Push sticking probability down and the cluster fills in dense and compact; push it up and thin branching arms shoot outward, shielding the gaps behind them — the same effect that shapes snowflakes and frost.

⚙ Under the hood

Diffusion-limited aggregation on a lattice: released particles take an 8-direction random walk and attach to the cluster with a set sticking probability, producing branching or compact growth depending on the slider.

crystal growthdiffusion-limited aggregationnucleationfractal growthrandom walk

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install

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