Effects of external mechanical stress on the growth behaviors of metal-induced lateral crystallization (MILC) were investigated. Results showed that the MILC growth rate was four times faster by the tensile stress than without stress and two times slower by the compressive stress. In the microstructural analysis, needlelike grains were observed to grow along the < 111 > direction when the tensile stress was applied, but wider grains grew in random directions when compressive stress was applied. These results confirm the applicability of the MILC growth model. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.