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Chitons are marine molluscs commonly seen on coastlines throughout the world. Intriguingly, their teeth are reinforced with the hardest and most magnetic form of iron oxide, magnetite. Jeremy Shaw of the CMCA will present research findings of interest to biologists and materials scientists alike.

The hardened teeth of chitons allows these unique animals to survive by scraping algae from the rocks upon which they live.

However, the level of control exerted over the formation of magnetite and other mineral phases within these teeth has inspired material scientists, whose aim is to reverse engineer the tooth's complex hierarchical structure to fabricate new devices ordered at the micron to the nanometre scale.

Understanding this complex biomineralisation process requires a multidisciplinary approach and a broad range of analytical techniques. This seminar presents research findings obtained using a variety of conventional and cutting-edge imaging modalities, including optical and electron microscopy, micro-X-ray CT and more.

WHEN: Wednesday 27 October, 12.30-1.30pm

WHERE: Oceans Institute Seminar Room