Bioengineering Advances Inspired by Coral’s Natural “Jamming System”

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have uncovered the unique mechanism behind the flexible stiffness of the soft coral Leptogorgia chilensis, a discovery that could revolutionize bioengineering applications. This coral, native to the Pacific coast, employs a natural ‘jamming system’ wherein its tissues expel water to compact its mineral skeleton, effectively locking particles in place to enhance rigidity when threatened. This granular jamming phenomenon, previously observed only in non-living materials, opens new avenues for material science.

By examining the coral’s skeleton, composed of intricate mineralized particles, the team aims to adapt these principles for human use, potentially leading to innovations in surgical instruments and robotics. The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlight the importance of studying natural systems to inform synthetic designs. As the researchers noted, the unique geometry of the coral’s sclerites could serve as a blueprint for creating more effective mechanotunable materials, enhancing both mechanical strength and structural efficiency in various applications.