Harnessing Crystal Defects to Tailor Bio-Inspired Materials

The field of crystal growth and design has been researched thoroughly, specifically the ability to form crystals with tunable dimensions, morphologies, and functional properties. Notably, various crystallographic defects have been found to enhance material properties. For instance, atomic doping alters electrical properties, screw dislocations facilitate spiral crystal growth, while dislocation outcrops and vacancies enhance catalytic activity and strengthen materials. In this talk, I will show several examples of crystal defects found in biomineralized tissues that serve as a source of inspiration to create bio-inspired crystals with tuned physical characteristics. Some examples are the electronic and magnetic properties.