Biomimetic Growth and Self‐Assembly of Fluorapatite Aggregates by Diffusion into Denatured Collagen Matrices

Abstract

Elongated, hexagonal-prismatic seed crystals are the starting point for the hierarchical growth of anisotropic spherical aggregates of fluorapatite in gelatin matrices. Discrete dumbbell-shaped aggregates (scanning electron microscope image shown on the right) are formed by self-similar, branched, needlelike upgrowths at both ends of the seeds. With successive generations, these aggregates close to give pheres with diameters of up to 400 μm. The system makes it possible to monitor the development of antibiotic information pattern into the macroscopic range.