Crysomallon squamiferum, also known as the scaly-foot gastropod, was discovered at the bottom of the Indian Ocean in 1999 at a depth of 2420 metres. Its shell is remarkably strong because it is flexible, allowing it to absorb blows from predators and dissipate their energy, rather than shatter:
Scientists who have studied the creature suggest that it might be possible to duplicate the structure synthetically for armor or pipelines.
Link via Popular Science | Photo: JAMSTEC
For example, the shell's outermost layer consists of strong particles of iron sulphide created in the hydrothermal vents, each around 20 nanometres across, embedded in a soft organic matrix secreted by the snail. This structure is designed to crack when hit, but in a way that absorbs energy.
Cracks spread only by fanning out around the iron sulphide particles. This "microcracking" not only absorbs energy, it also ensures that larger cracks do not form. What's more, the particles of iron sulphide may blunt and deform intruding claws, the study suggests.
Scientists who have studied the creature suggest that it might be possible to duplicate the structure synthetically for armor or pipelines.
Link via Popular Science | Photo: JAMSTEC
Comments (1)
££££££££££££££££££££££££
they make perfect E's
Things in canada will never be cheaper than the US
As a retail worker in canada i can say for sure its cheaper in the states. but if you get caught your paying taxes on your way back into the country.
1.) USA - 13m
2.) Japan - 4m
3.) Germany - 3m
4.) China - 3m
5.) UK - 2m
6.) France - 2m
7.) Italy - 2m
8.) Canada - 1m
What does this mean you say?
It says that you might beat us at health care, or bad movies, or complaining - but you will never, in a THOUSAND years, beat our economy.
Ehm, nominal GDP of EU 2006 = 14.6; USA = 13.2
http://jeviens.blogspot.com/2008/02/countries-with-highest-gdp.html
Also, as far as I can tell, American dollars are the only currency which have a smell ^_^
Anyways, the $-design is a 100 times better than the east-german looking Euro notes. I am so glad that we kept our danish kroners.
http://freshfrommesh.blogspot.com/2008/02/countries-with-highest-gdp.html
Regionalists.
Compare like for like, GDP PER CAPITA or by Currency.. USA is 9th or 10th in the world per capita and lower than EU by currency so this joke stands.
The strength of your economy compared to others is why America is the brunt of this and other jokes, not how many crap wobbly American planet killing cars you can pump out because your fat arse broke the last one within a year
Peace and love USA, as long as you're not bombing people you're a bit like the odd cousin who, despite being slightly retarded, somehow became really rich.
But still no-one can stand a conversation with for more than 5 minutes because you keep scratching your balls and picking your nose
It's like bragging you have a big penis... and yet not knowing how to use it properly.