Synchrotron Light Shed on the Complex Structure of Mother-of-Pearl

Pupa Gilbert, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Award number: CHE-0613972 co-funded by DMR/BMAT

Mother-of-pearl is an exceptionally tough material, lining the inner side of the abalone shell. The hidden structure of this complex material was revealed using synchrotron spectromicroscopy.

Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 268102-1/4 (2007)Science 317, 175, 2007.

In this side-view of mother-of-pearl, co-oriented tiny crystals appear with the same gray level.

m.abrecht

r.olabisi

d.grierson

r.metzlera.konicek

p.gilbert

Outreach:We present our research on biominerals to 200-400 people from the general public at the SRC yearly Open Houses, to 3000 people at the Wonders of Physics yearly show at UW-Madison. We also offer hands-on experience on spectromicroscopy to the 40 students/year attending the Microscopy of Life course.

Synchrotron Light Shed on the Complex Structure of Mother-of-PearlPupa Gilbert, University of Wisconsin-Madison,

Award number: CHE-0613972 co-funded by DMR/BMATEducation:Two undergraduates (Derek Wolley and Jesse Pacheco (minority), four graduate students (Rebecca Metzler, Dong Zhou, Andrew Konicek and David Grierson), one post-doc (Ronke Olabisi (minority) and one staff scientist (Mike Abrecht) participate in research under Gilbert’s guidance.Gilbert teaches Physics in the Arts (300 undergrads), and Microscopy of Life (40 grads and undergrads).

REU students at SRC practice lasso during a partyoutside the Synchrotron Radiation Center, “Home of Aladdin”, supported by award DMR-0537588.