Mimicking biomineralization under microgravity

Polymer matrix mediated synthesis of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles under microgravity has been carried out on-board during the flight of first recoverable space capsule (SRE-1) launched by Indian Space Research Organization. In contrast, of a defect free large crystal formation under microgravity in solution crystallization, the present study revealed an order of magnitude reduction in the dimensions of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles synthesized by a biomimetic process with respect to its 1  g counterpart.