Page 23 - Biomimetics: Technology Imitates Nature

Harun Yahya

same way that a braided rope doesn’t fail when
one single strand breaks. 18
Inspired by such models, Aksay developed
some very hard, resistant ceramic-metal compos-
ites. After being tested in various US Army labora-
tories, a boron-carbide/aluminum composite he
helped develop was used as armor plating for
tanks! 19
In order to produce biomimetic materials, to- Abalone shell consists
of microscopic bricks in
day’s scientists are carrying out research at the mi-
a layered structure that
croscopic level. As one example, Professor Aksay prevents any cracks in
points out that the bioceramic-type materials in the shell from spread-
ing.
bones and teeth are formed at body temperature
with a combination of organic materials such as
proteins, and yet possess properties much superior to those of man-made
ceramics. Encouraged by Aksay’s thesis that natural materials’ superior
properties stem from connections at the nanometric level (one-millionth
of a millimeter), many companies aim-
ing to produce micro-tools at these di-
mensions have embarked on bio-in-

Coral rivals the mussel
shell’s mother-of-
pearl in terms of
solidity. Using the
calcium salts from
seawater,
coral forms a
hard struc-
ture capable
of slicing
through even
steel ships’ hulls.