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Biomimetic and bio-inspired materials |
The controlled fabrication of synthetic materials such as
polymer-mineral composites and templated crystals can benefit from observation
of the processes involved in biomineralization. Although biomimetic approaches
are attractive, little fundamental information is available during the material
growth process. We have initiated studies on the role of acidic proteins on the
spatial and chemical control of crystal nucleation and growth of aragonitic
nacre, found in mother of pearl. As a first step, we are patterning glass
surfaces and attaching charged biopolymers, initially DNA, and observing
calcite/aragonite biomimetic mineralization. |
