Organically Controlled Crystal Growth and Phase Selection in Ecologically Diverse, Ultrahard Biocomposites
Abstract
Objectives and Methods: This proposal focuses on revealing differences in mineral and organic substructures within the feeding apparatus (radula) of chiton, marine snails, and their relationship to the rock and algae upon which they feed. The project will investigate the teeth and stylus (flexible support of the teeth) from a number of chitons found in ecologically diverse regions of the world, and examine the differences in the multiscale architectures and mineral components of the teeth. It will reveal how the underlying organic framework is utilized to control the nucleation, growth and phase selection of mineral. The researchers will use modern spectroscopic and microscopic techniques and nanomechanical testing to uncover the material hierarchy, phase evolution pathways and mechanical performance of chiton teeth. The researchers will also use proteomic analysis of the chitons to understand how functional proteins dictate phase selection and transformation. Specifically, the researchers will (i) resolve the multiscale structural features and mechanics of mature teeth, (ii) investigate the underlying organic framework (structural and chemical) that controls phase selection and regulates nucleation and growth of mineral in the teeth, (iii) understand a universal biomineralization system and protein function in chitons with respect to regulating crystallization and phase and (iv) validate organic-mineral interactions via in-vitro crystallization studies and translate to multifunctional architectures by fabricating biomimetic wear resistant structures. Significance: This project has broad importance and implications for materials science. There is a need to develop new generations of high-performance multifunctional materials for a wide range of applications, ranging from energy storage and conversion to high-strength/low-weight structural materials. Biological systems, with their multitude of elegant solutions to similar dilemmas, can thus provide important inspiration to achieve similar goals in wholly synthetic systems. Beyond structural materials, the lessons learned from the biologically inspired materials synthesis aspect of this research could provide new insight into the factors controlling crystal nucleation and growth, translatable to the synthesis of nanostructured materials with broadbased applications. Here, project researchers will do this by studying the organic scaffolding and function within a broad range of mineralized teeth from chiton found in ecologically diverse regions, the hierarchical structure and mechanical behavior of these teeth as well as the stylus connecting the radular belt to the teeth of chitons. These material systems have been chosen for this study due to (i) their remarkable damage tolerance and abrasion resistance (exhibiting the largest hardness and stiffness of any biominerals reported to date) from their heavily mineralized protective coatings, (ii) their multicomponent, hierarchical architectures, (iii) their unique and dynamic mineralization processes and (iv) the broad range of material and architectural features initially observed in radular teeth that come from ecologically diverse regions. By investigating the mineralization and multiscale behavior of these unique multicomponent flexible, abrasion-resistant and damage-tolerant structures, the proposed research will develop the necessary tools for the design and fabrication of cost-effective, environmentally friendly and high performance multifunctional materials. These materials will mimic the various design elements and performance properties that can radically break traditional engineering paradigms which will benefit a wide spectrum of military applications, ranging from energy storage and conversion, tunable radar absorbing materials for stealth to high-strength/low-weight structural materials for advanced aircraft/spacecraft and engines. It is understood that any developmental items and special
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 09, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010201
Entities
People
- David J Kisailus
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of California, Irvine