Mantis Shrimp inspires Body Armour Research

[pmaitra]

This research is partly funded by Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Therefore, it is in the Aviation Forum, but it applies to the military (all branches) in general.

Crustacean's claw may be suited for battle

Mantis Shrimp

The club of the peacock mantis shrimp strikes with such speed and force while staying intact that scientists are trying to mimic its makeup to protect troops in the line of fire.

Researchers have figured out how a tiny tropical crustacean packs an outsized punch. And they are using that knowledge to engineer super-durable materials that could protect troops in the line of fire, among other useful applications.

And what a strike that is: When unleashed on a potential meal like a crab or a snail, the peacock mantis shrimp's 2/10-inch-wide fist accelerates faster than a .22-caliber bullet, reaching speeds of 45 mph underwater and smacking its prey with 200 pounds of force.

The punch packs a double-wallop. By accelerating so quickly, the animal's club actually boils the water surrounding it, creating bubbles that implode upon prey, landing a second strike.

This pounding can penetrate mollusks' shells in a matter of seconds and bust holes through glass. (The peacock mantis shrimps in Kisailus' lab are housed in aquariums made of more-durable plastic.) But it doesn't seem to damage the stomatopod.

The outer part of the club, or the "impact region," is made of a crystalline mineral material that can withstand compressive forces more effectively than engineered ceramics forged at extreme temperatures.

The center, or "periodic region," is made of spiraling layers of sugar-based chitin fibers, reinforced by a different mineral material, that absorb impact energy and prevent cracking.

Finally, the stomatopod depends on the "striated region," another layer of chitin fibers that wraps around the entire club. Kisailus said these fibers compress the minerals in the appendage, which also keeps fractures from propagating.

The combination gives the peacock mantis shrimp its power, he said. The results of the study were published online this week in the journal Science.

Source: Claw of peacock mantis shrimp possible model for body armor - Los Angeles Times
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Another news article:
Mantis shrimp may hold the secret to lighter, tougher body armors

The helicoidal structure in the mantis shrimp's club stops the propagation of cracks (Image: Kisailus Lab/UCR)

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For your interest (expand if you dare):

Spoiler

World's Deadliest - Shrimp Packs a Punch - YouTube

True Facts About The Mantis Shrimp - YouTube

And for some fun: Why the mantis shrimp is my new favorite animal - The Oatmeal