Matheus C. Fernandes, Joanna Aizenberg, James C. Weaver, and Katia Bertoldi, have co-authored a paper on their research into lattices inspired by deep-sea glass sponges. As Leah Burrows writes in Harvard’s press release, “When we think about sponges, we tend to think of something soft and squishy. But researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) are using the glassy skeletons of marine sponges as inspiration for the next generation of stronger and taller buildings, longer bridges, and lighter spacecraft.”

Fernandes, M.C., Aizenberg, J., Weaver, J.C. et al. Mechanically robust lattices inspired by deep-sea glass sponges. Nat. Mater. (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-020-0798-1