News Animals

Sea urchin skeletons’ splendid patterns may strengthen their structure

The animals could inspire the creation of strong, but lightweight new materials

A scanning electron microscope image of a sea urchin skeleton, showing many honeycomb-like holes

Viewing sea urchin skeleton “tubercles” (one shown) using a scanning electron microscope shows that they follow a common geometric pattern.

V. Perricone

By Rachel Crowell

Sea urchin skeletons may owe some of their strength to a common geometric design.

Components of the skeletons of common sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) follow a similar pattern to that found in honeycombs and dragonfly wings, researchers report in the August Journal of the Royal Society Interface.