Materials scientists drill down to vulnerabilities involved in human tooth decay
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 - 10:10
in Physics & Chemistry
Northwestern University researchers have cracked one of the secrets of tooth decay. In a new study of human enamel, the materials scientists are the first to identify a small number of impurity atoms that may contribute to the enamel's strength but also make the material more soluble. They also are the first to determine the spatial distribution of the impurities with atomic-scale resolution.