Scientists believe limpet shells can serve as an inspiration in developing advanced optical biomaterials.

The illuminated blue lines of the limpet's shells are apparently created by a pair of optical structures newly discovered by researchers. These features run across the shells in parallel lines and act as reflectors under muddy waters.

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Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University examined these shells and their structures to determine what makes these features glow underwater even in extremely low light.

Using a high resolution 2D and 3D structural analysis, researchers observed the nanoarchitecture of the mollusks. They saw the top layer was composed of calcium carbonate platelets followed by a zigzag pattern underneath the platelets and over spherical particles.

Researchers found out that the angle of the diagonal patterns were placed in such a way that it reflects the most blue light possible and the structures absorb all colors and produces distinct strips of blue light reflected on the shell.

This blue rayed limpet mollusk is indigenous to the kelp bed rich waters in Iceland and Norway and other countries such as the U.K., Portugal and the Canary Islands.

Researchers believe these blue stripes found across the shells help pull-off a disguise that makes the limpet resemble soft bodied snails that are poisonous to most predators.

These limpet shells are the first animal species to exhibit unique colors using structures built from inorganic minerals. Other animals also exude brilliant arrays of color such as butterflies' wings and birds' feathers. These arrays, however, are still considered biological features.

This unique limpet shell technology can be applied to similar structures with transparent displays such as vehicular windshields and windows. These displays can also be controlled in order to show maps, weather updates or other information so drivers can navigate easily under less than ideal conditions.

This can very well be the link to augmented reality where a driver can see the outside world using this special window while driving and using a projected map on the windshield, as well, according to Mathias Kolle from MIT. This system will also require a light source.

This study was published in the journal, Nature Communications.

Tagsblue rayed limpet, shells mollusks blue stripes lines augmented reality transparent displays, Brilliant Blue Stripes from Mollusk Reveal Secret to Augmented Reality, limpet shell