Loading...
Controlled Hierarchical Biomaterial Utilizing Diatom Nanostructure
Lazarus, Benjamin
Lazarus, Benjamin
Abstract
Materials with hierarchical structure often exhibit impressive material properties and functionalities; however, modern manufacturing techniques cannot produce centimeter-scale components with geometries on the scale of nanometers. Biofabrication has the potential to overcome this trade-off by taking advantage of naturally occurring micro- and nanoscale architectures. This paper explores the biofabrication of large-scale hierarchical geometries using the intricate nanostructure of live diatoms as a microscale building block. Diatom growth patterns through hydrogels produced via 3D printing simulations are studied. Diatom manipulation with light and nutrient access during the incubation process of these gels is also explored. Thermal processing experiments are conducted on diatom xerogels and cryogels to fuse the diatoms’ silica frustules together and form a bonded material. Two different species of diatoms, Navicula trivialis and Thalassiosira pseudonana, are utilized in this project and the different growth patterns and post-processing results of each are analyzed.
Description
Date
2019-04-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Collections
Download Dataset
Rights Holder
Usage License
Embargo
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Citation
Department
Applied Science