Sea urchin spine structure inspires idea for concrete (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Jason Palmer
Science and technology reporter, BBC News

The precise structure of sea urchins' strong spines has been unravelled - and the find may contribute to stronger concrete in the future.

The tough spines are known to be made of calcium carbonate, which has a number of naturally occurring forms, some more brittle than others.

X-ray studies now show they are built from "bricks" of the crystal calcite, with a non-crystalline "mortar".

The results are reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The spines serve as a defence against predators, hard and at the same time shock-absorbing. As a result of these properties, the spines are among the most-studied biomaterials.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17027941
abstract: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/02/15/1109243109.abstract

[KT2000]

1. Wonder if this might

provide a boost for pervious concrete. It is a suggested solution to run-off and in my state (WA) and additional strength would address the main drawback.