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On the architecture and function of cuttlefish bone

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Abstract

The internal shell of the cuttlefish, which acts as a rigid buoyancy tank, is structured to combine high compressive strength — since it must withstand the external hydrostatic pressure — with minimum weighT. The micro-architecture of cuttlebone has been examined by electron microscopy and the relevance of the structure to the mechanical duties required of the shellin vivo are briefly discussed. The inorganic calcareous structure is associated with an organic component which may act as a template for mineralization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New Science Group, Imperial Chemical Industries, P.O. Box No. 8, Runcorn, Cheshire, UK

    J. D. Birchall & N. L. Thomas

Authors
  1. J. D. Birchall
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  2. N. L. Thomas
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Birchall, J.D., Thomas, N.L. On the architecture and function of cuttlefish bone. J Mater Sci 18, 2081–2086 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00555001

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00555001

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