The IMM uses a number of special furnaces to grow metallic crystals with defined orientation from a melt. The procedure is based on the Bridgman–Stockbarger technique in combination with monocrystalline seed crystals of the desired orientation. Different types of single- and bicrystals in macroscopic size are produced this way and form the basis for further experimental investigations. Aluminum, copper, magnesium and zinc with high purity are available as source materials.