Crack spheres in mussel threads

Year: 
2017
Ranking: 
Entrant
Artist: 
Christophe A. Monnier (Postdoc)
Department: 
MSI
Lab: 
Waite Lab

Description

To avoid being smashed or washed away, mussels latch onto rocks by deploying a chain with an anchor tethered to it. This chain contains a multitude of ultrasmall spheres, rendered here in 3D by electron tomography, which defer cracks and strengthen it enough to endure even the most violent surf.

 

CSEPSchuller LabCNSIUCSBMOXI