Still Life: Mineral berries and butterflies

Lopez-Berganza, Josue A.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/99716 Copy

Description

Title

Still Life: Mineral berries and butterflies

Author(s)

Lopez-Berganza, Josue A.

Issue Date

2018-04

Keyword(s)

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Abstract

Marine organisms rely on common minerals such as calcium carbonate, to synthesize shells, teeth, spicules, etc. By exquisitely controlling molecular interactions between proteins, sugars, etc. in their bodies, they can precipitate calcium carbonate into functional structures that help them interact with and survive in their environments. These so-called biominerals exhibit remarkable mechanical and structural properties, often unparalleled by manmade materials. We investigate these complex interactions between organic additives and calcium carbonate to not only understand how these organisms evolve these structures but also to also aid the development of sustainable smart materials. In a nod to nature’s ability to design complex mineral architectures for living organisms, here we replicate everyday life forms by precipitating calcium carbonate in biomimetic experimental setups.

Type of Resource

• text
• image

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/99716

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2018 Josue Lopez-Berganza

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