Researchers wanted to understand the incredible strength of the mantis shrimp’s dactyl clubs, which they use to smash through shells. To do this, they had live mantis shrimp hit a piezoelectric sensor, mimicking their natural striking behavior. They also used special lasers on samples of the dactyl clubs to see how they react to sound waves.
By studying how the sound waves moved across the dactyl club’s surface, the scientists found out which parts dissipated the most energy. The impact surface—the part that makes contact when the shrimp strikes—was particularly good at handling stress. The layer right below it also contributed significantly. Together, these features make the dactyl clubs extremely resilient.
There aren’t many other structures like the mantis shrimp’s dactyl clubs. However, some moths have scales on their wings that help absorb sound waves from hunting bats, keeping them safe from being detected.
This research could lead to exciting new technologies. By studying how the mantis shrimp withstands extreme forces, scientists hope to improve protective gear, such as military armor or sports equipment. The findings suggest that using ultrasonic filtering mechanisms could be a game changer for safety designs.
As the researchers noted, “Shrimp impacts contain frequencies in the ultrasonic range, which has led to shrimp-inspired solutions for protection.” Perhaps in the future, we’ll see bike helmets or other gear inspired by these remarkable creatures, which measure just seven inches long but are masters of not cracking under pressure.
For more details, you can check out the study published in Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.adq7100
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