Abstract

Nature has evolved efficient strategies to synthesize complex mineralized structures that exhibit exceptional damage tolerance. One such example is found in the hypermineralized hammer-like dactyl clubs of the stomatopods, a group of highly aggressive marine crustaceans. The dactyl clubs from one species, Odontodactylus scyllarus, exhibit an impressive set of characteristics adapted for surviving high-velocity impacts on the heavily mineralized prey on which they feed. Consisting of a multiphase composite of oriented crystalline hydroxyapatite and amorphous calcium phosphate and carbonate, in conjunction with a highly expanded helicoidal organization of the fibrillar chitinous organic matrix, these structures display several effective lines of defense against catastrophic failure during repetitive high-energy loading events.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Weaver JC, Milliron GW, Miserez A, Evans-Lutterodt K, Herrera S, Gallana I, Mershon WJ, Swanson B, Zavattieri P, DiMasi E, Kisailus D

Institution

Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 01238, USA.

Source

Science (New York, N.Y.) 336:6086 2012 Jun 8 pg 1275-80

MeSH

Animal Structures
Animals
Biomechanics
Calcium
Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Phosphates
Chitin
Crustacea
Crystallization
Durapatite
Finite Element Analysis
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Phosphorus
Stress, Mechanical
X-Ray Diffraction

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22679090