Published in
National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 18(114), p. 4607-4612, 2017
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Structure and mechanics of aegagropilae fiber network
,
Sébastien Moulinet,
Nicolas Vandenberghe ,
Mokhtar Adda-Bedia,
Patrice Le Gal
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Abstract
Significance Aegagropilae are centimeter-sized, nearly spherical fiber aggregate found on Mediterranean beaches. They result from aggregation and compaction of the remains of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica . We find that they possess remarkable mechanical properties, which are unexpected for a structure formed by random agitation caused by sea motion and held together solely by friction between the fibers. The study of such material offers perspectives for complex materials, such as felts and insulation materials.