Biomineral single crystals Pupa Gilbert, University of Wisconsin-Madison, DMR This discovery may be useful to synthesize larger, faster growing, more perfect crystals for electronics, or solar energy capture This work was presented to the general public in many events: Physics Fair, Science at the Theater, the Science Fair, the Bascom Hill Society, ALS open house, etc. Undergraduate student Erin Monahan is currently imaging sea urchin teeth to localize and identify the proteins regulating phase transitions in these crystalline biominerals.

Biomineral single crystals conquer international panel of judges, and popular vote in the Science-NSF International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge PUPA Gilbert & CE Killian University of Wisconsin- Madison Pupa Gilbert, University of Wisconsin- Madison, DMR

Geologic mineral crystals usually have flat faces and sharp edges (left), whereas biomineral crystals (right) can have strikingly uncommon forms that have evolved to enhance function. The image (right) was captured using environmental scanning electron microscopy and false-colored. Each color highlights a continuous single-crystal of calcite (CaCO 3 ) made by the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata, at the forming end of one of its teeth. Together, these biomineral crystals fill space, harden the tooth, and toughen it enough to grind rock. This image won the International Science & Engineering Visualization Challenge 2012, and was published in Science, 339, 510 (2013). Pupa Gilbert, University of Wisconsin-Madison, DMR