Fig. 1: Assembly of the nanorod structure.
From: Bi-directional freezing affords elastic and durable artificial tooth enamel
A temperature gradient is induced by a PDMS wedge-shaped surface, which causes a temperature gradient within the nanorod-dispersion on top. Solvent ice crystals form in parallel lamellae when the temperature sinks. The hydroxyapatite nanorods coated with an amorphous layer of zirconium dioxide (HA@A-ZrO2) assemble in between the ice lamellae.
