Deep within the Kairei Indian hydrothermal vent field, two-and-one-half miles below the central Indian Ocean, scientists have discovered a gastropod mollusk, whose armor could improve load-bearing and protective materials in everything from aircraft hulls to sports equipment. READ MORE

A recently discovered gastropod from the Kairei Indian hydrothermal vent, called Crysomallon squamiferum, has an unusual shell structure superbly suited for protecting it against penetration attack. The outer layer is granular and composed of iron sulfide. The middle layer is much thicker than other mollusks generally have. These key points could be important in mollusc-inspired vehicle or personnel armor construction. In this illustration, a knight attacks the gastropod with a lance, but the gastropod's iron-plated armor withstands his advance. (Credit: Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation, inset after Haimin Yao et al., PNAS, January 2010) [Source: ScienceDaily]

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Posted By Gunkee to quantumNOTES - Science Space Technology News and Random Thoughts at 1/20/2010 01:37:00 PM