Sea urchin spine structure inspires idea for concrete

BBC : X-ray studies conducted by Jong Seto of the University of Konstanz and colleagues have identified the structural origin of sea urchin spines’ strength. The spines are made up of two forms of calcium carbonate: 92% is in calcite crystals, and the remaining 8% is in a form that lacks any crystal structure. The amorphous calcium carbonate binds the crystals together the way mortar binds bricks. The team examined sea urchin samples with a series of increasingly powerful imaging techniques. They’re now working with international companies and using the sea urchins’ spines as a model to develop a stronger, more fracture-resistant type of concrete.