RISE Microscopy for Biomineralization Studies

Over the years biominerals have been refined by natural selection, leading to the unique forms and functions we observe today. These forms can be studied at high resolution using the SEM. The association of such structures with changes in chemical bonds leads to a deeper understanding of processes. In this session the fine structure observed on nacre with an SEM will be correlated to anisotropies within the crystal structure of CaCO3