The ocean’s depths have once again provided inspiration for groundbreaking materials science. A team of engineers at RMIT University, in a study published in Composite Structures, has designed a revolutionary new material with exceptional compressive strength and stiffness—qualities that could reshape structural engineering, architecture, and product design.

At the core of this innovation is the intricate skeleton of Euplectella aspergillum, better known as Venus’ flower basket. This deep-sea sponge, which thrives in the Pacific Ocean, has a naturally occurring double-lattice structure that intrigued researchers. By mimicking this biological blueprint, the RMIT team has developed a material that not only enhances mechanical performance but also exhibits auxetic behavior—a rare ability to expand perpendicularly when stretched and contract when compressed.

Nature’s Engineering at Its Finest

“Most materials, like rubber, get thinner when stretched and thicker when compressed. Auxetic materials do the opposite,” explains Dr. Jiaming Ma, lead author of the study. “This makes them exceptionally efficient at absorbing and distributing impact energy.”

Auxetic materials occur in nature—found in tendons and cat skin—and have already been harnessed for specialized applications, such as vascular stents. However, their widespread use has been hindered by low stiffness and limited energy absorption capacity. The RMIT team’s breakthrough lies in overcoming these limitations by integrating a nature-inspired double-lattice configuration.

“Each lattice alone behaves traditionally,” Ma continues, “but when combined, as nature does in the deep-sea sponge, the structure regulates itself, holds its form, and significantly outperforms existing auxetic materials.”

A Leap Forward in Material Science

The results, published in Composite Structures, demonstrate the impressive performance of this bioinspired design. Compared to conventional auxetic materials, the new lattice is:

• 13 times stiffer, enabling superior structural support
• 10% more energy absorbent, improving impact resistance
• 60% more strain-resistant, maintaining auxetic properties across a wider range of motion

These properties open the door for numerous applications. Dr. Ngoc San Ha highlights the potential impact: “This auxetic metamaterial offers a strong foundation for next-generation sustainable construction. It could enhance everything from high-performance building materials to protective equipment, sports gear, and medical applications.”

From Skyscrapers to Sports Gear

One of the most promising applications is in construction, where the lattice structure could be used as a lightweight steel framework. This could reduce the amount of steel and concrete required, making buildings more sustainable while maintaining—or even improving—structural integrity.

Beyond construction, the material could revolutionize personal protective equipment (PPE), including bulletproof vests and helmets. In sports, it could lead to lighter, more effective impact-resistant gear. The medical field could also benefit, with potential applications in orthopedic implants and prosthetics.

The Road Ahead

To test the material’s feasibility, the RMIT team has already conducted simulations and lab experiments using 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane. Now, they aim to scale up production with steel versions, integrating them into concrete and rammed-earth structures—an eco-friendly construction technique utilizing compacted raw materials.

“Our primary focus is on sustainable building materials,” Ma notes. “By leveraging this material’s unique combination of auxeticity, stiffness, and energy absorption, we can significantly cut down on steel and cement usage in construction.”

Additionally, the team is exploring the use of machine learning algorithms to further optimize the design, potentially leading to programmable materials that can adapt to different environmental conditions.

Learning from Nature’s Playbook

Honorary Professor Mike Xie, a key collaborator on the project, underscores the broader significance of biomimicry.

“Nature has spent millions of years optimizing structures for efficiency and resilience,” he says. “By studying and applying these principles, we’re not just creating stronger materials—we’re designing smarter, more sustainable solutions for the future.”

With its extraordinary mechanical properties and wide-ranging applications, this deep-sea sponge-inspired material could soon become a game-changer across multiple industries. From earthquake-resistant buildings to next-generation protective gear, nature’s engineering may hold the key to a more resilient world.