Cornell University researchers have uncovered the process by which mollusks manufacture nacre: a hard, iridescent substance commonly known as “mother of pearl.” The development could lead to new materials used in medical applications.

The organism builds its shell from the inside out by depositing layers of calcium carbonate nanoparticles. As the particle density increases over time they fuse into large flat crystals embedded in layers of organic materials.

Using a high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), the researchers examined a cross section of the shell of a large Mediterranean mollusk, called the noble pen shell or fan mussel (Pinna nobilis). With a diamond saw, the team cut a thin slice through the shell, then in effect sanded it down until they had a sample less than 30 nanometers thick, suitable for STEM observation.

Images with nanometer-scale resolution revealed that the mollusk builds nacre by depositing a series of layers of a material containing nanoparticles of calcium carbonate. Moving from the inside out, the particles are seen coming together in rows and fusing into flat crystals laminated between layers of organic material. As the particle density increases over time, the nanoparticles fuse into large flat crystals embedded in layers of organic material, forming nacre.

Source 

Topics:
Biological sciences Implants & Prosthetics Manufacturing processes Medical Nanomaterials Nanotechnology Research and development

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    This article first appeared in the March, 2016 issue of Medical Design Briefs Magazine (Vol. 6 No. 3).

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