Thursday 19 February 2015

Limpet teeth



Science has discovered a new 'world's strongest' biological material in the make-up of 'teeth' which enable sea snails (commonly referred to as limpets) to adhere to hard surfaces whilst feeding. The  molluscs actually 'chew' their way into rocks etc. so they are not dislodged by tidal motion of their ocean environment during breakfast, lunch or dinner.

It is predicted that replicating the tough components of Limpet teeth will produce superior materials for constructing many man-made objects such as aircraft and racing cars. It would also be a wonderfully enduring substance for filling cavities in human teeth!

An interesting closure of one circle at least? Does that mean we could then eat the cutlery by mistake?

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