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Science 11 October 2002:
Vol. 298. no. 5592, pp. 389 - 392
DOI: 10.1126/science.1075433
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Reports

High Abrasion Resistance with Sparse Mineralization: Copper Biomineral in Worm Jaws

Helga C. Lichtenegger,1* Thomas Schöberl,2 Michael H. Bartl,1 Herbert Waite,3* Galen D. Stucky1*

Biominerals are widely exploited to harden or stiffen tissues in living organisms, with calcium-, silicon-, and iron-based minerals being most common. In notable contrast, the jaws of the marine bloodworm Glycera dibranchiata contain the copper-based biomineral atacamite [Cu2(OH)3Cl]. Polycrystalline fibers are oriented with the outer contour of the jaw. Using nanoindentation, we show that the mineral has a structural role and enhances hardness and stiffness. Despite the low degree of mineralization, bloodworm jaws exhibit an extraordinary resistance to abrasion, significantly exceeding that of vertebrate dentin and approaching that of tooth enamel.

1 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
2 Erich Schmid Institute for Materials Science, Austrian Academy of Sciences and University of Leoben, Jahnstrasse 12, A-8700 Leoben, Austria.
3 Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed.

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