Photo: ‘Expn235022’ by NOAA
DEEP SEA SPONGE
Reinforced fibre optics
The deep-sea sponge – Phylum Porifera – is made from a natural glass which are bundles of threads embedded like reinforced concrete. Each square window measures about 2×2 millimeters. The glass-like fibers of a sponge transmit light better than any human-made fiber optics, yet they are made from natural materials and at ambient temperatures.