Overview

• Scientists used synchrotron X-ray nanotomography and mechanical testing to map the nanoscale structure of blacktip shark cartilage with unprecedented detail.
• The cartilage features two distinct regions—corpus calcareum and intermediale—composed of densely packed collagen fibers and bioapatite crystals.
• Helical collagen fiber arrangements within the mineral matrix act as crack barriers, enhancing the cartilage's mechanical resilience under stress.
• Mechanical tests showed minor deformations after initial loading and fractures confined to a single plane only after repeated cycles.
• These findings are driving the development of advanced biomimetic materials for applications such as medical implants and impact-resistant gear.