About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
Multiphase Biomineralization in the Ultrahard and Abrasion Teeth of Chiton |
| Author(s) |
Ezra Sarmiento, Taifeng Wang, Scott Kiehn, Joelene Velasco, Nobumichi Tamura, Michiko Nemoto, David Kisailus |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ezra Sarmiento |
| Abstract Scope |
Biological materials in nature are often multifunctional composites formed through the precise assembly of organic and inorganic components, resulting in exceptional properties. One such example can be found in the chiton, an intertidal marine mollusk that grazes on hard crustose algae using its radula, a flexible tongue-like organ lined with mineralized ultrahard teeth. The extreme robustness of these teeth are attributed to the controlled assembly of alpha-chitin nanofibers coupled with proteins which template regio-specific mineral nucleation and growth. To better understand this biomineralization process, we investigated the phase transformations of iron oxides and calcium phosphates in early-stage tooth development as a function of metal ion concentration. By uncovering the mechanisms that govern the chiton’s mineral deposition, nucleation, and growth, we have been able to develop synthetic analogues that mimics their protein-controlled mineralization. Further work aims to fabricate high-performance, multifunctional nanomaterials. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Biomaterials, Other, Other |