About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Bio-Nano Interfaces and Engineering Applications
|
| Presentation Title |
Textural and Nanomechanical Analysis of Polycrystalline Biogenic Aragonite in Coral Skeletons |
| Author(s) |
Yi-Cheng Tsai, Hsuan-Yen Wei, Chang-Yu Sun |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Yi-Cheng Tsai |
| Abstract Scope |
Coral skeletons are the foundation of modern reef ecosystems that host one-third of all marine species. These highly mineralized skeletons consist of mainly aragonite (CaCO3) crystals, typically forming nanorods radiating from the centers-of-calcification (COCs) as spherulites. While spherulitic growth has been suggested to offer mechanical benefits due to its limited-range c-axis misorientation, the deformation mechanics at the interface and the effects of grain boundary structure remain largely unclear. In this study, we report coral skeletons with previously unobserved non-spherulitic aragonite crystals, and characterize their crystal orientations and microstructures. Moreover, by comparison of texture and mechanical behavior with spherulitic coral skeletons at the micro- and nano-scale, we elucidate the role of polycrystalline grain boundaries in carbonate biominerals and the control organisms exert. This study deepens our understanding of functional adaptations in coral skeletons, expands our knowledge on inorganic spherulite formation, and offers crucial insights into textural engineering of bioinspired crystal growth. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Other, Other, Other |