Abstract

Understanding biomaterials requires more than resolving their three-dimensional architecture: function also depends on local crystallography, phase composition, texture and strain, which can evolve during loading, degradation and interaction with physiological environments. The Dual Imaging and Diffraction beamline, DIAD, at Diamond Light Source combines full-field X-ray tomography with spatially resolved X-ray diffraction. Complex processes such as load transfer across the soft-calcified interface of the intervertebral disc, biomimetic remineralisation of human dental enamel, and dissolution of drug-loaded three-dimensionally printed materials can be characterized correlating micromorphology, mechanical properties and crystalline states. Together, these examples show how imaging-led diffraction can connect structure and function across length scales under realistic mechanical and chemical conditions.

Biosketch

Dr Sharif Ahmed is the Principal Beamline Scientist for DIAD at Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron. His work focuses on developing and applying correlative X-ray imaging and diffraction methods to understand complex materials under realistic in situ conditions, with particular interests in biomaterials, multimodal experimentation and data analysis.