In this study, atmospheric pressure cold plasma (surface dielectric barrier discharge) was used as an alternative energy form to intensify solution crystallization and produce nano-sized organic crystals. Nano-sized particles can have beneficial product properties such as improved internal quality and dissolution rate, compared to conventionally sized crystalline products. In cold plasma intensified crystallization a nebulizer system sprays the solution aerosol into the plasma with the help of a carrier gas. The plasma simultaneously heats and charges the droplets causing fast solvent evaporation and Coulomb-fission to occur, after which nucleation and crystal growth commence within the small, confined volume offered by the small droplets. In this manner, nano-sized crystals of the energetic material RDX and the pharmaceutical niflumic acid were produced. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.