Foot-long "wandering meatloaf" snails may hold secret to better Li-Ion batteries

[wtmusic]

"Gumboots, also known as the "wandering meatloaf," are foot-long marine snails that roam tidal zones, scraping algae from rocks by using up to 80 rows of magnetite-tipped teeth. Magnetite, the "hardest biomineral known on Earth," not only strengthens the gumboot's chompers, it makes them magnetic as well. New teeth are grown continuously and enter the "wear zone" as old ones wear out.

University of California Riverside Assistant Professor David Kisailus studied how the gumboots grew their magnetic teeth and found they produced nanocrystals at significantly lower temperatures than scientists have ever figured out. That could mean cheaper, more efficient solar cells and faster-charging Li-ion batteries. According to the Ward's Auto:

Kisailus presently is using the snail's biomineralization pathway to grow minerals used in Li-ion batteries and solar cells. By controlling the crystal size, shape and orientation of engineering nanomaterials, he believes he can build materials that will allow the batteries and solar cells to operate more efficiently.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/14/how-nasty-foot-long-wandering-meatloaf-snails-could-improve-c/

[Ian David]

1. Like a snail out of Hell! n/t

[wtmusic]

2. Now, now. Nothing that a little garlic butter and Chardonnay couldn't fix.

Ok, a lot?

[Blue Owl]

5. Now we have proof that Meat Loaf has officially scraped rock bottom

[Angry Dragon]

3. Super Escargot

[xchrom]

4. my mother's meatloaf used to try to get away from her, too. nt

[Aerows]

6. Everybody tried to get

away from my mother's meatloaf. :shudder:

[Aerows]

7. Fascinating

More efficiency = more power.

[CRH]

8. Oh my wt. ... after a long week of work, ...

you don't fail to surprise.

I've experienced banana slugs as 'poor man's peaches', but now, foot long 'wandering meat loaf' escargot, as our magnetic saviors? You mean the crisis of climate change hangs its hopes on the nano crystale production from magnetic teeth? I think my worst nightmares have come to pass! ... might be time to hide, ...

[wtmusic]

10. They make great fridge magnets

if you have a very large fridge

[TexasBushwhacker]

9. Science is cool!

There's also the sea snail that carries on photosynthesis, making its own food.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/01/green-sea-slug/