Nanostructure surveys of natural and biomimetic dental tissues by 3D SAXS tensor tomography

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In our quest to understand the behaviour of natural materials in order to make better use of existing ones and create novel and superior products, we need to be able to determine the structure at every increasing levels of resolution throughout the body. In this proposal, we seek to develop and apply the advanced 3D SAXS tensor tomography at beamline I22 to create a unique capability that will significantly extend our characterisation expertise and open up new avenues of research. The objective of the project is to enable significant understanding of the nanofibrillar collagen structural evolution at different stages of dentine demineralisation using an acid induced model, and the understanding of key structural factors that affect the mechanical performance of novel bio-inspired hierarchical dental composite aiming for biomimetic design of reliable dental prosthesis and other dentine-like materials. Whilst the new science that this instrumentation will enable spans a range of seemingly disparate areas (initially from dental materials), the development of common methodologies will unite the various users and provide a mechanism for the cross-fertilisation of research ideas. Additionally, this project will serve as a basis for new science exploitation leading towards Diamond II and the projected low emittance properties of the new ring.