Sea urchin protein provides insights into self-assembly of skeletal structures
Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 09:02
in Physics & Chemistry
Calcium carbonate combined with sea urchin proteins form tiny stacks of 'bricks' that creates a structure which provides a tough, exoskeleton defense for the sea creature. Researchers studying the protein may enable the development of tunable fracture resistant materials that one day will find its use in developing lightweight 'armor' and 'sturdier' dental composites.