AFM

You're guessing this the Mars Lander but actually it's the the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) used in the Paul Hansma Labratory at UC Santa Barbara where they're studying fracture resistance both in solid materials and human bone. I returned to the Hansma website to review it before continuing with my wild speculation that our breezing youngster will be "rearranging" the molecules on the surface of his cannon bone instead of creating microscopic fissures. And, indeed, the latest is that Hansma now has developed a tiny probe that can view microscopic bone in a living being. You might think the Jockey Club Eight Belles Committees would be hot on this trail.

But here, I'll try to focus in and ferret out from Hansma's lab what might apply to the thoughts of my prior posts, and ask any reader to understand that this is highly technical, though fascinating stuff.

You have to start with the understanding that there are three types of bone materials:

collagen fibrils
mineral plates
a matrix of unmineralized, non-fibrillar organic material made up of proteins called "bone glue" by Hansma

These are shown in the 500nn images below, A,B,C and D:


"A" shows collagen fibrils coated with bone glue.
"B" shows unmineralized colagen fibrils.
"C" shows mineralized collagen fibrils.
"D" shows crack formation in the "non-fibullar organic matrix.

Now, Hansma's group is studying what happens when you apply force to each of these materials, and, to sum up a long dissertation, most interesting, Hansma uses phrases such as "the gliding effect within the fibrils", cross linking and more to describe what's going on.

Hansma takes us through precisely what happens at the molecular level in solid materials such as bone as force is first applied and then withdrawn, next post.

Training:
Wed 7/16 I improvised my prior plans a bit. Scratched Art's planned riderless 3 x 3f at max speed for a far less strenuous workout that would permit us to go on without a day of rest on Thurs. We did about 6 x 3f riderless mostly slow with some short bursts of speed with both horses. Art then trotted 1.35 miles under tack in the pasture. The welder was out to do the trailer floor. The wood flooring hopefully goes back in tonight and we're in business.