Our aim is to provide new data concerning the evolution of amorphous gel phases into crystalline inorganic materials to allow information about crystallisation mechanism of solids with important applications for the future design of new materials. We have selected nanoporous zeolite materials to study as a model system, and based on some preliminary results, will study the local and medium-range order of amorphous precursor gels that have been aged for various periods. Total neutron scattering will be used to measure radial distribution in the gel phases (in the presence of their mother liquor to avoid complications on quenching) and by looking at how they evolve into the crystalline zeolite we will be able to determine how the structure of the gel affects the nature of the crystalline phase ultimately formed. The work forms the beginning of a joint STFC-Warwick funded PhD studentship.