Please login to be able to save your searches and receive alerts for new content matching your search criteria.
Biomineralization has two types, biologically induced mineralization (BIM) and biologically controlled mineralization (BCM). Shark teeth is a typical representative of BCM. We have measured concentrations of fluorine and multi elements in shark teeth collected in the south of Japan. As a result, it was confirmed that the sample preparation method, which was established for the biological samples, is applicable to the shark teeth samples and the elemental concentration was obtained in good accuracy and reproducibility. Moreover, we clarified that the shark teeth is composed of Fluorapatite by the combination with X-ray Diffraction. Fluorine concentration is found to be 5500 µg/g in the shark teeth. We have 100 samples of Shark teeth and are planning on reporting the findings of a study with larger samples in the near future.
Many living organisms grow crystalline inorganic components (usually to add mechanical strength, but also for sensing and other applications). These organisms exert a high degree of control not just over the crystal orientation but also over the structure and composition of the crystals. They do this in wet environments, without the use of ultrahigh vacuum. There have been efforts to mimic this process in the laboratory by growing minerals under floating (Langmuir) monolayers, which serve as ordered organic templates. We have studied such processes using grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction to determine the structure of both organic and inorganic films during deposition. These studies illustrate that some of the same phenomena familiar to surface scientists working in UHV occur also in "real world" environments.
Hierarchical synthesis of well-defined nanoparticles and structures is one of the challenges in materials science. Conventional methods have limitations in controlling the size of the crystals as well as their orientation. Biominerals have inspired research to explore bottom-up approaches to the design of novel nanomaterials by utilizing polymeric nanomaterials as templates to synthesize nanoparticles with well-defined morphologies and structures. Here in this review, the role of synthetic and natural polymeric nanomaterials with controlled architecture and selected affinities in the design of biomimetic materials over the years are discussed.
With the growth of the construction industry, the role and importance of sustainable construction practices are also increasing. This study reviews the various advancements in the field of bio-based construction materials, including bio-aggregates, bio-binders, and bio-bricks. The origins of our centuries-old construction methods can be found in bio-based concrete materials, which have been revived and modernized to meet the needs of present-day construction. The integration of recovered construction and agricultural wastes plays a significant role in bringing these materials into the competitive building sector, aligning with sustainability goals. This study provides an in-depth examination of the processes and compositions required to achieve the desired strength and durability of bio-based materials. By comprehensively analyzing global research data, this study offers insights into the successful incorporation of biomaterials, emphasizing their potential to reduce carbon emissions and promote the responsible utilization of natural raw materials. This pathway moving toward more sustainable construction practices underscores the environmental benefits of bio-based concrete materials.
Radionuclides pose a serious threat to both human and environmental health if they are present in the environment. Radioactive waste is produced and released into the environment, both naturally and artificially. Exposure to this waste could lead to severe and potentially fatal illnesses in people. Radionuclide-contaminated habitats host several microbial species that develop a high degree of tolerance to these elements through mechanisms such as biosorption, biotransformation, biomineralization, and intracellular accumulation. These mechanisms involving interactions between microbes and radionuclides have the potential to be used in biotechnology for designing solutions to address various contamination problems through bioremediation. Bioremediation has been proven to be more ecofriendly than physical remediation for the environment. Microorganisms possess inherent genetic, metabolic, and physiological characteristics that render them highly suitable for the purpose of pollutant remediation in soil and groundwater. Microorganism-aided bioremediation can impact the solubility, bioavailability, and mobility of radionuclides. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of several reports in an attempt to understand how microorganisms interact with radioactive substances and how they withstand the effects of ionizing radiation. The review incorporates a multidisciplinary approach and provides an assessment of the current status of research in this field.
With the growth of the construction industry, the role and importance of sustainable construction practices are also increasing. This study reviews the various advancements in the field of bio-based construction materials, including bio-aggregates, bio-binders, and bio-bricks. The origins of our centuries-old construction methods can be found in bio-based concrete materials, which have been revived and modernized to meet the needs of present-day construction. The integration of recovered construction and agricultural wastes plays a significant role in bringing these materials into the competitive building sector, aligning with sustainability goals. This study provides an in-depth examination of the processes and compositions required to achieve the desired strength and durability of bio-based materials. By comprehensively analyzing global research data, this study offers insights into the successful incorporation of biomaterials, emphasizing their potential to reduce carbon emissions and promote the responsible utilization of natural raw materials. This pathway moving toward more sustainable construction practices underscores the environmental benefits of bio-based concrete materials.