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Lightweight Impact-Resistant Composite Materials: Lessons from Mantis Shrimp

Abstract

Nature has evolved efficient strategies to synthesize complex mineralized structures that exhibit exceptional damage tolerance. One such example is found in the hyper-mineralized hammer-like dactyl clubs of the stomatopods, a group of highly aggressive marine crustaceans. The dactyl clubs from one such species, Odontodactylus Scyllarus, exhibit an impressive set of characteristics adapted for surviving high velocity impacts with the heavily mineralized prey species on which they feed. Consisting of a multi-phase 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. The study of this organism and its relatives has lead to design cues, which were incorporated into prototype composite materials designed for applications in aviation, body armor, and entertainment.

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