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Coherent nanoparticles in calcite A toughening strategy known to metallurgists is also used by the brittlestar

Duffy, DM; (2017) Coherent nanoparticles in calcite A toughening strategy known to metallurgists is also used by the brittlestar. Science , 358 (6368) pp. 1254-1255. 10.1126/science.aaq0111. Green open access

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Abstract

Living organisms use a wide range of minerals to perform a variety of functions, including familiar examples such as bones (for support), teeth (for mastication), and shells (for protection), as well as other less common functions, such as optical, magnetic, and gravity sensing. These biominerals are produced with elements that are present in the local environment under ambient conditions. The ability to mimic biological strategies to improve current materials and processing methods is a long-standing goal of material scientists. On page 1294 of this issue, Polishchuk et al. (1) characterized the properties of a biomineral in the skeleton of the brittlestar, Ophiocoma wendtii. An array of microlenses on their skeletons focus light onto an optical receptor, enabling them to detect shadows and hide from predators. Nanoprecipitates in these lenses also toughen the skeleton, an effect that is achieved in engineered metal alloys only through expensive heat treatments.

Type: Article
Title: Coherent nanoparticles in calcite A toughening strategy known to metallurgists is also used by the brittlestar
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1126/science.aaq0111
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaq0111
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > London Centre for Nanotechnology
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10044864
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