| Abstract Scope |
Generations of evolution has created a variety of natural materials and structures that have long influenced innovations in science and engineering. This is due to exceptional properties which remain competitive even with modern synthetic equivalents. Certain fish scales, for example, have a strength and toughness comparable to some metal alloys while remaining flexible and lightweight. This is due to collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite crystals that have been arranged into a unique three-layer plywood-like structure through mechanical locking and chemical bonds. This process and its impact on the scale surface, however, is still poorly understood. Here, we review the established knowledge on the composition, structure, and interface of fish scales. This is supplemented with imaging, analytical, and tensiometric data used to uncover the unique surface and features of fish scales, in an attempt to expand the understanding of natural surface functionality as a source for surface innovation. |