Nature's strongest material comes from sea snails

Diamonds are hard. Spider silk is strong. But what is the strongest material produced in nature?

It might be hiding on the underside of a limpet shell, CNET reports from University of Portsmouth researchers.

Limpets are small snail-like creatures with a secret. Their teeth, hidden under their shells, are a mineral called goethite, according to the British study. It is stronger than Kevlar, (not a natural substance) researchers told The Washington Post.

The mineral could be adapted to real-world uses, including making stronger cars, planes and boats, lead researcher The University of Portsmouth wrote in a press release.

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Another benefit, according to CNET, is that it maintains its strength no matter what size it is; other substances can weaken as they get larger.

The Washington Post reported that goethite is SO strong, Barber said, it "can be compared to a strand of spaghetti used to hold up more than 3,300 pounds, the weight of an adult female hippopotamus."

The study concluded goethite is "currently considered to be the strongest natural material, and approaching values comparable to those of the strongest man-made fibres."

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Victoria Malmer

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