AI Article Synopsis
- Shark tooth enameloid is a tough, stiff tissue primarily made of nanoscale fluorapatite, despite being mostly brittle.
- The study examines the microstructure of the enameloid in two shark species using scanning electron microscopy, revealing striking similarities in their structural design.
- By comparing shark enameloid and amniote enamel, the research identifies general microstructural principles that could inspire the creation of advanced composite materials with enhanced strength and fracture resistance.
Article Abstract
Shark tooth enameloid is a hard tissue made up of nanoscale fluorapatite crystallites arranged in a unique hierarchical pattern. This microstructural design results in a macroscopic material that is stiff, strong, and tough, despite consisting almost completely of brittle mineral. In this contribution, we characterize and compare the enameloid microstructure of two modern lamniform sharks, (shortfin mako shark) and (spotted ragged-tooth shark), based on scanning electron microscopy images. The hierarchical microstructure of shark enameloid is discussed in comparison with amniote enamel. Striking similarities in the microstructures of the two hard tissues are found. Identical structural motifs have developed on different levels of the hierarchy in response to similar biomechanical requirements in enameloid and enamel. Analyzing these structural patterns allows the identification of general microstructural design principles and their biomechanical function, thus paving the way for the design of bioinspired composite materials with superior properties such as high strength combined with high fracture resistance.
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|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8070439 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nano11040969 | DOI Listing |
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