Links between climatic histories and the rise and fall of a Pacific chiefdom.

Sea level rise and climate change are shaping present societies, particularly those on oceanic islands. Few historical examples could serve as references for these changes. One such potential model is the Saudeleur Dynasty with its capital Nan Madol on the Pacific Island of Pohnpei.

Interfacial shear strength in abalone nacre.

The shear strength of the interface between tiles of aragonite in the nacre of red abalone Haliotis rufescens was investigated through mechanical tensile and shear tests. Dog-bone shaped samples were used to determine the tensile strength of nacre when loaded parallel to the plane of growth; the mean strength was 65 MPa. Shear tests were conducted on a special fixture with a shear gap of 200 microm, approximately 100 microm narrower than the spacing between mesolayers.

Structure and mechanical properties of crab exoskeletons.

The structure and mechanical properties of the exoskeleton (cuticle) of the sheep crab (Loxorhynchus grandis) were investigated. The crab exoskeleton is a natural composite consisting of highly mineralized chitin-protein fibers arranged in a twisted plywood or Bouligand pattern. There is a high density of pore canal tubules in the direction normal to the surface.

Mechanical strength of abalone nacre: role of the soft organic layer.

The nacreous portion of the abalone shell is composed of calcium carbonate crystals interleaved with layers of viscoelastic proteins. The resulting structure yields unique mechanical properties. In this study, we focus on the thin viscoelastic layers between the tiles and on their role on the mechanical properties of the shell.

The growth of nacre in the abalone shell.

The process of mineral formation following periods of growth interruption (growth bands) is described. Flat pearl implantation as well as a new trepanning method are used to observe the transitory phases of calcium carbonate which nucleate and grow during this process. An initial random nucleation of the aragonite polymorph is observed followed by a transition towards spherulitic growth.