Science Daily February 10, 2022
A team of researchers in the US (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bowdoin College, Harvard University) investigated the complex and highly ordered mineralized skeletal system of sea star from the tropical Indo-Pacific region. The skeleton consists of many millimeter-sized skeletal elements called ossicles which connect with soft tissue, allowing the animal to be flexible and move. Each ossicle is constructed of a microlattice structure so uniform that it can be described mathematically. They found that it is essentially a single crystal structure at atomic level which allows a sea star to reinforce its skeleton strategically in particular directions improving its mechanical performance. They found a feature that inhibits crack expansion when the microlattice fractures. Their work may lead to developing an entirely new class of high-performance lightweight ceramic composites…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLEÂ
… image showing the starfish skeletal system composed of many ossicles, which exhibit a periodic microlattice structure. Credit: Ling Li (Virginia Tech)