David Kisailus, an assistant professor of engineering at the University of California Riverside, teamed up with collaborators at Purdue University and Singapore’s Nanyang Technology University to uncover how the mantis shrimp can withstand 50,000 high-velocity strikes of its club - the equivalent of 50,000 bullet impacts - in its lifetime. Upon examining the structure, the group discovered three specialized regions that form a composite framework tougher than many engineered ceramics.

The mantis shrimp’s club comprises three specialized regions that form a framework tougher than many engineered ceramics. The first region, located at the impact surface of the appendage, contains a high concentration of mineral, similar to that found in human bone. Further inside, highly organized and rotated layers of chitin, dispersed in mineral, absorb shock waves as they pass through the club. Finally, oriented chitin fibers surrounding the club buffer it from damage during these high-velocity attacks.

“This club is stiff, yet it’s lightweight and tough, making it incredibly impact-tolerant and interestingly, shock-resistant,” says Kisailus. “That’s the holy grail for materials engineers.” If scientists can recreate the properties of the mantis shrimp’s club, they’ll have developed a far superior material than what we currently have available.

A lighter-weight and more impact-resistant chassis, for instance, could result in electric cars with lower power consumption and increased driving range. With airplanes, a tougher shell with less drag would reduce fuel costs and repair bills.

At INDEX: Design to Improve Life^®, we hope to see future INDEX: Award nominations (2013 might be an Utopian thought?) made from a material such as this...

Credits: ecouterre.com,  Bridgette Meinhold