Growth of minerals

The matte can be treated in different ways, depending on the copper content and on the desired product. In some cases, the copper content of the Bessemer matte is low enough to allow the material to be cast directly into sulfide anodes for electrolytic refining. Usually it is necessary first to separate the nickel and copper sulfides. The copper—nickel matte is cooled slowly for ca 4 d to faciUtate grain growth of mineral crystals of copper sulfide, nickel—sulfide, and a nickel—copper alloy. This matte is pulverized, the nickel and copper sulfides isolated by flotation, and the alloy extracted magnetically and refined electrolyticaHy. The nickel sulfide is cast into anodes for electrolysis or, more commonly, is roasted to nickel oxide and further reduced to metal for refining by electrolysis or by the carbonyl method. Alternatively, the nickel sulfide may be roasted to provide a nickel oxide sinter that is suitable for direct use by the steel industry. 

Growth of Minerals, Fibrous Minerals, and Synthetic Fibers... 

Fowler BO (1977) I. Polarized Raman spectra of apatites. II. Raman bands of carbonate ions in human tooth enamel. Mineralized Tissue Research Communications Vol 3, no. 68 Fratzl P, Fratzl-Zelman N, Klaushofer K, Vogl G, Roller K (1991) Nucleation and growth of mineral crystals in bone studied by small-angle X-ray scattering. Calcif Tissue Inti 48 407-413 Fratzl P, Schreiber S, Boyde A (1996) Characterization of bone mineral crystals in horse radius by small-angle X-ray scattering. Calcif Tissue Inti 58 341-346... 

Fratzl P, Fratzl-Zehnan N, Klaushofer K, Vogl G, Roller K (1991) Nucleatirai and growth of mineral crystals in bone studied by small-angle X-ray scattering. Calcif Tissue Int 48 (6) 407-413... 

In Nature, the nucleation and growth of mineralized materials are often controlled by organic macromolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides. Bone and teeth consist of a small amount of organic matrix which manipulates the formation of apatite into distinct microstructures suitable for the mechanical forces encountered in vivo [62]. The biomimetic synthesis of CaP within polymer matrices was reported to produce composites that could initiate osteogenesis when implanted in bony sites [63]. Polymers with distinct molecular organizations were used as a template to control the geometry of the apatite to mimic that found in bone. 

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