Optical fibres based on natural biological minerals — sea sponge spicules

Kulchin, Yu. N.; Букин, О. А.; Voznesenskii, S. S.; Galkina, Anna; Гнеденков, С. В.; Дроздов, А. Л.; Kuryavyi, V. G.; Mal'tseva, T L; Nagorny, I. G.; Sinebryukhov, Sergey L.; Cherednichenko, A. I.

doi:10.1070/qe2008v038n01abeh013579

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The biosiliceous material of these skeletal elements not only confers unique physical and mechanical properties, but also reaches quartz glass quality [23], which is one reason for the exceptional potential of spicules to operate as optical fibers ex vivo [14,15,60]. Further, recent studies indicate fluorescence properties of spicules in the long‐wavelength region [61]. These observations led to the assumption that the poriferan spicular network might be the light‐transmitting part of an alternative photosensory system [15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cryptochrome‐based photosensory system in the siliceous sponge Suberites domuncula (Demospongiae)

Müller

Wang²,

Schröder

et al. 2010

The FEBS Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Based on the light‐reactive behavior of siliceous sponges, their intriguing quartz glass‐based spicular system and the existence of a light‐generating luciferase [Müller WEG et al. (2009) Cell Mol Life Sci 66, 537–552], a protein potentially involved in light reception has been identified, cloned and recombinantly expressed from the demosponge Suberites domuncula. Its sequence displays two domains characteristic of cryptochrome, the N‐terminal photolyase‐related region and the C‐terminal FAD‐binding domain. The expression level of S. domuncula cryptochrome depends on animal’s exposure to light and is highest in tissue regions rich in siliceous spicules; in the dark, no cryptochrome transcripts/translational products are seen. From the experimental data, it is proposed that sponges might employ a luciferase‐like protein, the spicular system and a cryptochrome as the light source, optical waveguide and photosensor, respectively.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cryptochrome‐based photosensory system in the siliceous sponge Suberites domuncula (Demospongiae)

Müller

Wang²,

Schröder

et al. 2010

The FEBS Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The first nanostructured 3D composite spongin-atacamite model was created [26][27][28][29][30][31]. Skeletons of glass (Hyalospongia) or six-rayed sponges (Hexactinellida) are considered by many authors as a very promising material for biomimetics [21][22][23][32][33][34][35][36][37]. They have unique physical properties: good elastic light guides with properties of photonic crystals [21,26,33,36,37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon Compounds in Sponges

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A comparative study of the microscopic morphology and chemical characteristics of spicules of Hexactinellids (Hexactinellida) with different structural features of the skeletons, as well as the freshwater Baikal sponge belonging to the class of common sponges (Demospongia), was carried out. The trace element composition of sponge spicules was determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The spicules of siliceous sponges contain many elements, arranged in decreasing order of concentration: Si, Ca, Fe, Cl, K, Zn, and others. It was shown that the surface layer of sea sponges contains mainly carbon (C), oxygen (O), and to a lesser extent nitrogen (N), silicon (Si), and sodium (Na). The spicules of the studied siliceous sponges can be divided into two groups according to the phase composition, namely one containing crystalline calcium compounds and one without them. Analysis of infrared absorption spectra allows us to conclude that the sponges Euplectella aspergillum, E. suberia and Dactylocalyx sp. contain silica partially bound to the organic matrix, while the silica skeleton of the sponges of the other group (Schulzeviella gigas, Sericolophus sp., Asconema setubalense, Sarostegia oculata, Farrea sp. and Lubomirskia baicalensis sp.) practically does not differ from the precipitated SiO2. This comparative study of the chemical composition of the skeletons of marine Hexactinellids and common freshwater sponge allows us to conclude that there are no fundamental differences in the chemical composition of spicules, and all of them can be used as a starting material for creating new composite silicon–organic functional materials.

show abstract

“…in glass fibres). At the same time, they are highly flexible because their elastic modulus and hardness shows a centrifugal gradient across the spicule’s long axis 20 . Moreover, hydration appears to affect the mechanical properties of the spicules - in their natural environment.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Siliceous spicules enhance fracture-resistance and stiffness of pre-colonial Amazonian ceramics

Natálio

Corrales

Wanka

et al. 2015

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Pottery was a traditional art and technology form in pre-colonial Amazonian civilizations, widely used for cultural expression objects, utensils and as cooking vessels. Abundance and workability of clay made it an excellent choice. However, inferior mechanical properties constrained their functionality and durability. The inclusion of reinforcement particles is a possible route to improve its resistance to mechanical and thermal damage. The Amazonian civilizations incorporated freshwater tree sponge spicules (cauixí) into the clay presumably to prevent shrinkage and crack propagation during drying, firing and cooking. Here we show that isolated siliceous spicules are almost defect-free glass fibres with exceptional mechanical stability. After firing, the spicule Young’s modulus increases (from 28 ± 5 GPa to 46 ± 8 GPa) inferring a toughness increment. Laboratory-fabricated ceramic models containing different inclusions (sand, glass-fibres, sponge spicules) show that mutually-oriented siliceous spicule inclusions prevent shrinkage and crack propagation leading to high stiffness clays (E = 836 ± 3 MPa). Pre-colonial amazonian potters were the first civilization known to employ biological materials to generate composite materials with enhanced fracture resistance and high stiffness in the history of mankind.

show abstract

Optical fibres based on natural biological minerals — sea sponge spicules

Cited by 23 publications

References 1 publication

A cryptochrome‐based photosensory system in the siliceous sponge Suberites domuncula (Demospongiae)

A cryptochrome‐based photosensory system in the siliceous sponge Suberites domuncula (Demospongiae)

Silicon Compounds in Sponges

Siliceous spicules enhance fracture-resistance and stiffness of pre-colonial Amazonian ceramics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About