Diatom auxospore scales and early stages in diatom frustule morphogenesis: their potential for use in nanotechnology.

Incomplete, forming diatom cell wall components have potential uses in nanotechnology that differ from those of mature frustules. Diminutive, discoid auxospore scales, produced after sexual reproduction, could also be evaluated for their value. The structure of developing diatom valves and girdle bands is generally simple, since features such as cribra and other ornamentation have yet to be added. They are also more lightly silicified. Bullulae and honeycomb structures give strength to the final framework of some species using a minimal amount of silica. The morphogenesis of girdle bands is shown to be unidirectional in a marine centric species, forming open-ended cylinders, another potential shape for the arsenal of structures useful to nanotechnologists.