Elucidating the emergence of crystalline superstructures from amorphous precursors, hydration environments and ionic constituents can guide transformation and structuration reactions towards distinct micro- and nano-structures.

Mechanistic pathwaysrelevant to mineralization are not well-understood fundamentally,l et alone in the context of their biological and geological environments.Through quantitative analysis of ion association at near-neutral pH, we identify the involvement of HCO 3 À ions in CaCO 3 nucleation. Incorporation of HCO 3 À ions into the structure of amorphous intermediates is corroborated by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, complemented by quantum mechanical calculations and molecular dynamics simulations.W e identify the roles of HCO 3 À ions as being through (i)competition for ion association during the formation of ion pairs and ion clusters prior to nucleation and (ii)incorporation as as ignificant structural component of amorphous mineral particles.The roles of HCO 3 À ions as active soluble species and structural constituents in CaCO 3 formation are of fundamental importance and provide ab asis for ab etter understanding of physiological and geological mineralization.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a promising implant material because of its excellent mechanical characteristics. Although this polymer is a standard material in spinal applications, PEEK is not in use in the manufacturing of dental implants, where titanium is still the most‐used material. This may be caused by its relative bio‐inertness. By the use of various surface modification techniques, efforts have been made to enhance its osseointegrative characteristics to enable the polymer to be used in dentistry. In this feature paper, the state‐of‐the‐art for dental implants is given and different surface modification techniques of PEEK are discussed. The focus will lie on a covalently attached surface layer mimicking natural bone. The usage of such covalently anchored biomimetic composite materials combines many advantageous properties: A biocompatible organic matrix and a mineral component provide the cells with a surrounding close to natural bone. Bone‐related cells may not recognize the implant as a foreign body and therefore, may heal and integrate faster and more firmly. Because neither metal‐based nor ceramics are ideal material candidates for a dental implant, the combination of PEEK and a covalently anchored mineralized biopolymer layer may be the start of the desired evolution in dental surgery.