| 1. |
- Almqvist, Nils, et al.
(author)
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Methods for fabricating and characterizing a new generation of biomimetic materials
- 1999
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In: Materials science & engineering. C, biomimetic materials, sensors and systems. - 0928-4931 .- 1873-0191. ; 7:1, s. 37-43
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bringing together current ideas in the fields of biomineralization and composite laminate materials, we have attempted to fabricate model materials that mimic abalone nacre through the rapid assembly of inorganic tablets, such as talc. Several physical methods were tested to aid the orientation of the talc tablets in fluid suspensions with a low percentage, 10% by dry weight, of organic binding material. The orientation of talc tablets in the synthesized composites was characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The modulus of rupture of the materials was measured in a three-point bending test. We demonstrate that the alignment of tablets increases by the use of physical methods and from chemical surface treatment. Important factors to consider in making materials that mimic abalone nacre are discussed. Important factors to consider in making materials that mimic abalone nacre are discussed.
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| 2. |
- Holten-Andersen, Niels, et al.
(author)
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Metals and the integrity of a biological coating : The cuticle of mussel byssus
- 2009
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In: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 25:6, s. 3323-3326
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The cuticle of mussel byssal threads is a robust natural coating that combines high extensibility with high stiffness and hardness. In this study, fluorescence microscopy and elemental analysis were exploited to show that the 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (dopa) residues of mussel foot protein-1 colocalize with Fe and Ca distributions in the cuticle of Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel byssal threads. Chelated removal of Fe and Ca from the cuticle of intact threads resulted in a 50% reduction in cuticle hardness, and thin sections subjected to the same treatment showed a disruption of cuticle integrity. Dopa-metal complexes may provide significant interactions for the integrity of composite cuticles deformed under tension.
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| 3. |
- Schäffer, Tilman E, et al.
(author)
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Does abalone nacre form by heteroepitaxial nucleation or by growth through mineral bridges?
- 1997
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In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 9:8, s. 1731-1740
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present experimental support for a model of abalone nacre growth that is based on mineral bridges between successive aragonite tablets rather than on heteroepitaxial nucleation. Interlamellar sheets of organic polymers delineate the aragonite tablets but allow the tablets to grow mineral bridges through pores in the sheets. Atomic force microscope images of interlamellar organic sheets from flat pearls made by Haliotis rufescens (red abalone; marine gastropod mollusk) reveal a fibrous core and holes of 5-50 nm in diameter. Scanning ion conductance microscopy shows that these holes are actually pores through the interlamellar sheets. With the help of statistical analysis we can associate the pore-to-pore spacings in the interlamellar sheets with the observed offsets of successive nacre tablets. These results, supplemented by AFM, SEM, and TEM images, support and extend the model of biofabrication of gastropod nacre which is based on mineral bridges between the aragonite tablets.
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| 4. |
- Toprak, Muhammet, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Tailoring magnetic microspheres with controlled porosity
- 2007
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In: Heterogeneous Integration of Materials for Passive Components and Smart Systems. - : Materials Research Society. - 9781558999268 ; , s. 93-98
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The synthesis of organic and inorganic nano- and microspheres has attracted much interest for a variety of applications ranging from drug delivery to chemical storage and catalysis. We recently demonstrated the assembly of magnetic nanoparticles and polycations into hybrid microspheres in a single-step synthesis via complex coacervation. These microspheres showed viability for bio-applications as indicated by toxicity tests, and are therefore potential targeted drug delivery devices, as they can be directed magnetically. This work reports the recent progress on the potential use of these assemblies in drug release by controlling their porosity. Fluorescein tagged dextran molecules with different MW have been infiltrated into these entities to determine critical pore size by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Different physicochemical characterization results are also presented.
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