The peacock mantis shrimp, scientifically known as Odontodactylus scyllarus, is a small creature capable of delivering impressive blows. Despite its size, fitting comfortably in one's hand, it packs a punch so powerful that it generates imploding bubbles. These implosions, combined with the impact force, exert pressures exceeding 1,000 times the shrimp's body weight. Researchers are now looking to its unique exoskeleton structure to inspire new materials for a variety of industries.
Materials scientist David Kisailus from the University of California, Irvine, has been actively investigating the helix structure found within the mantis shrimp's club. This structure has potential applications in enhancing the toughness of airplane wings, wind turbine blades, and hockey sticks. The peacock mantis shrimp's exoskeleton is engineered to filter out damaging pressure waves from its strikes. With deeper layers rotated slightly in relation to those above and below, the exoskeleton forms a helix-like corkscrew shape known as a Bouligand structure.
"prevents shear waves from damaging soft tissue within the club" – Horacio Espinosa
This structural design efficiently prevents shear waves from harming the soft tissue within the club. Researchers have systematically tested this concept in labs, inspiring materials such as impact-resistant armor, protective coatings, and aerospace structures.
Kisailus finds inspiration in the mantis shrimp’s ability to adapt to ever-changing conditions, noting that this feature is not unique to the shrimp alone.
"I know that there are many, many blueprints out there just waiting to be revealed in nature’s plethora of organisms." – David Kisailus
The recent study published in the journal Science on February 7 highlights how these natural properties of the mantis shrimp's exoskeleton can be harnessed to innovate new material designs. Traditionally considered artificial, the exoskeleton has revealed its natural capabilities that could lead to groundbreaking advancements.
Federico Bosia adds that this research underscores the evolutionary development of biological systems for wave and vibration control purposes.
"adds to the growing body of evidence that shows that they also naturally appear in biological systems, where they have developed through evolution for wave and vibration control purposes" – Federico Bosia
The findings about the peacock mantis shrimp's exoskeleton represent just the beginning of what could be uncovered by studying nature's adaptations. Millions of species have evolved to thrive under changing conditions, providing a vast repository of knowledge for researchers like Kisailus.
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