Researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) have turned to an unexpected source for innovations in battery technology: the chiton, a small marine mollusk. Collaborating with institutions in Japan, scientists have uncovered how these creatures build their remarkably durable teeth, a discovery that could pave the way for cleaner and more efficient methods of producing vital materials for electronics and fuel cells.
David Kisailus, a professor of materials and engineering at UC Irvine, leads the Biomimetic and Nanostructured Materials Laboratory. He explains that chitons possess the ability to grow new teeth every few days, which outperform many industrial materials used in cutting tools, dental implants, and protective coatings. Remarkably, these teeth form at room temperature with nanoscale precision, revealing a sophisticated biological process that researchers are keen to replicate.
The teeth of chitons consist primarily of magnetite, the hardest biological mineral known. In a study dating back to 2007, Kisailus first identified this material in chiton teeth. The latest research, conducted in partnership with Okayama University and Toho University, details the exact mechanisms of tooth formation. Proteins are transported through nano-tubules and combine with organic structures to create the ultra-hard magnetite.
This natural process serves as a blueprint for developing more sustainable and cost-effective methods for synthesizing nanostructured materials. Kisailus raises an important question: “If nature can guide the precision of its nano-structures, could we learn from the processes it uses to actually make engineered materials?”
One example of this innovative thinking involves Kisailus’s collaboration with a Swiss company focused on hydrogen fuel cells. Traditional hydrogen cells rely on platinum, which costs approximately $1,400 per ounce. By utilizing biological nanostructures, Kisailus’s team has engineered nanoparticles to synthesize cobalt oxide as an alternative catalyst, significantly reducing costs to less than 1% of platinum’s price.
In March 2024, Kisailus’s lab received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Air Force to investigate how microbes can extract rare earth elements. This research holds promise for mining operations in extreme environments, such as the moon, Mars, and asteroids. Kisailus notes that the proteins involved in chiton tooth formation are similar to those used by microbes in mineral extraction, which could revolutionize how we source materials for technology.
The potential benefits extend to reducing reliance on foreign supplies of rare earth minerals. Kisailus envisions a “feedstock of organic material” for battery production, which could lead to safer, less environmentally damaging extraction techniques. By employing microbes instead of toxic acids, researchers aim to minimize contamination and environmental impact.
Chitons have also illuminated a new approach to synthesizing materials for semiconductors and computer chips. Currently, the prevailing method, known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), requires toxic gases and high temperatures. Insights from chiton biology could enable similar processes to occur at room temperature, avoiding the need for harmful substances.
As these discoveries unfold, they suggest a future in which critical materials are produced more sustainably, affordably, and locally. By mimicking nature’s designs, researchers like Kisailus are laying the foundation for technologies that could mitigate supply chain issues, lower costs, and lessen environmental footprints. The transformation of advanced materials production may be just beginning, thanks to the lessons learned from the humble chiton.
