Also: glass sponge, siliceous spicules, spongin, bath sponge
Sea sponges build skeletons of glassy silica needles (spicules) or of a tough collagen-like protein called spongin. Their intricate lattices inspire engineers and can serve as natural scaffolds.
Readiness: lab lab studies · prototype demonstrated objects · commercial products or buildings in real use · review summaries of other studies.
Reviewed the origin, diversity, fine structure and biological functions of siliceous spicules and skeletons in sponges.
As reported in: Uriz, Turon, Becerro et al. (2003). Siliceous spicules and skeleton frameworks in sponges: Origin, diversity, ultrastructural patterns, and biological functions. Microscopy Research and Technique. doi:10.1002/jemt.10395
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Studied how the skeleton of the deep-sea glass sponge Euplectella aspergillum enables passive ventilation.
As reported in: Falcucci, Amati, Bella et al. (2024). Adapting to the Abyss: Passive Ventilation in the Deep-Sea Glass Sponge <i>Euplectella aspergillum</i>. Physical Review Letters. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.132.208402
Showed that spicules of the sponge Clathrina have a crystalline calcite core with an outer layer of amorphous calcium carbonate stabilised by macromolecules.
As reported in: Aizenberg, Addadi, Weiner et al. (1996). Stabilization of amorphous calcium carbonate by specialized macromolecules in biological and synthetic precipitates. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.19960080307
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Immobilised Trametes versicolor laccase on natural bath sponge (spongin) scaffolds to biodegrade bisphenols.
Built / tested: biocatalytic scaffolds
As reported in: Zdarta, Antecka, Frankowski et al. (2018). The effect of operational parameters on the biodegradation of bisphenols by Trametes versicolor laccase immobilized on Hippospongia communis spongin scaffolds. Science of The Total Environment. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.213
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