Scientists believe they may have found the strongest natural material known to man, one that could be copied to make the cars, boats and planes of the future - the teeth of the humble limpet.
Researchers at the University of Portsmouth examined the mechanics of limpet teeth by pulling them apart all the way down to the level of the atom. They found the teeth of the snail-like creatures, common to shorelines and rock pools around the world, is potentially stronger than what was previously thought to be the strongest biological material, the silk of a spider.
Scientists believe the structure could be reproduced in high-performance engineering, such as racing cars and in boat hulls.
"Nature is a wonderful source of inspiration for structures that have excellent mechanical properties," said Professor Asa Barber, who led the study.
"All the things we observe around us, such as trees, the shells of sea creatures and the limpet teeth studied in this work, have evolved to be effective at what they do.