The Secrets of Life’s Toughest Material

Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is a naturally occurring material known for its toughness. Despite being easy to scratch, nacre is stiff, strong, and highly resistant to breaking. Its unique structure, composed of aragonite plates and organic material, provides strength and resilience. Scientists are inspired by nacre to create synthetic materials for medical applications, though more research is needed before public use.

In what ways are scientists trying to replicate nacre's properties?

What applications could nacre-inspired materials have in medicine?