Illinois (USA), June 3: A rare mineral known as santabarbaraite is found in the only in the teeth of a red-brown mollusk, the giant Pacific chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri). The chiton is nicknamed “the wandering meatloaf” due to its look. It is the world’s largest chiton and is around 35 centimeters long. It has rows of teeth attached to a soft, flexible tongue-like radula. It helps to piece off the algae attached to rocks. Scientists analysed the teeth and discovered that the connection between the teeth and flesh contains nanoparticles of santabarbaraite, an iron-loaded mineral never seen before in a living organism’s body. These nanoparticles act like a bridge between the hard and soft parts of the chiton’s teeth. The researchers feel that it can be used in soft robotics.
News inputs from Krisha
