The Role of Topology in Growth and Agglomeration

We describe several models of growth of atomic structures, mostly by agglomeration from gas or from liquid. In many physical situations, like the formation of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and onions, as well as in growth of quasicrystals or glass formation, a very important role is played by topology of local configurations. This chapter shows how some physical properties of certain forms of condensed matter can be derived from simple topological and geometrical considerations concerning the structure of local configuration space of atoms and molecules.