Undersea sponge has fiber optic cables beat

Reuters ^ | 8/20/03 | Reuters Staff

[Pro-Bush]

WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Fiber optic cables -- an amazing invention showing how clever people can be, right? Maybe so, but nature got there first, U.S. researchers reported on Wednesday. A deep-sea sponge with a "skeleton" made out of silica did it first and did it better, the researchers said.

It has spicules -- skeletal structures -- that look very much like modern fiber optic cables, except they don't crack, the team at Bell Laboratories/Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU - News) in Murray Hill, New Jersey, reported.

Fiber optic cables are long strands of pure glass about the diameter of a human hair that carry digital information over long distances. They are arranged in bundles called optical cables and used to transmit light signals.

"Modern technology cannot yet compete with some of the sophisticated optical systems possessed by biological organisms," Joanna Aizenberg and colleagues wrote in their report, published in the journal Nature.

"Here we show that the spicules of the deep-sea 'glass' sponge Euplectella have remarkable fiber-optical properties, which are surprisingly similar to those of commercial telecommunication fibers -- except that the spicules themselves are formed under normal ambient conditions and have some technological advantages over man-made versions."

The little sponge, known commonly as Venus's flower basket, has an intricately latticed silica cage where pairs of shrimp go to mate.

The spicules are about the same size and shape as fiber optic cables, they wrote. They are made of the same material and bend light in a similar manner.

But while fiber-optic cables often crack and break, the sponge's spicules have built-in braces that toughen the structure.

Studying it could help scientists figure out better ways to make fiber-optic cables and networks, the researchers suggested.

[Pro-Bush]

Looks like nature has the upper hand over Bell-Labs (LUCENT)

[sticker]

Sponge Bob, call home

[jrawk]

My Marketing Degree tells me that with a million years already clocked, the sponge has a First Movers Advantage. Those first to market tend to have a technological advantage. The sponge has been working on the problem longer.

However aren't we part of nature? When we finally build a better fiber optic cable will we be humble enough to write, Nature has finally developed a better silcate light conduit?

-- lates
-- jrawk

[WestPacSailor]

Sponge Bob, call home

[Lazamataz]

And in related news:

Undersea Sponge (USSP) +3.25 (+7.6%)
Lucent Technologies (LU) -0.71 (-37.5%)

[Moonman62]

The hair of polar bear fur also acts like optical fiber, transmitting light to the bear's black skin underneath.

[Pro-Bush]

Great post! LMAO.

[StatesEnemy]

Sponge in Question:

Source

[4mycountry]

Looks like a really weird sock.

[Pro-Bush]

Yes, we are a part of Nature, but a fiber optic cable is not.

I also have a marketing degree, and work in R&D/Product Planning. I agree with the first mover stance, Lucent is definately behind the curve, and will be playing catch-up with this sponge for time to come. Lucent's optic solutions will be known as a "Me-Too" product, and the sponge will maintain their competitive advantage over their human competitors. In order for Lucent to make a comeback, they must demonstrate product differenciation or go after very specialized verticle markets in order remian a going concern in this market. The Sponge will be the new Gorilla on the street for the Fiber Optic market.

[LiteKeeper]

SPOTREP - ID

[Pro-Bush]

Cool. Thanks for posting the Sponge pic!

[CJ Wolf]

"Yes, we are a part of Nature, but a fiber optic cable is not." BBBTTTTTTT Wrong answer, is an ant hill part of nature? is a waspnest part of nature?

[bangor505]

The sponge also has a few different configurations...

Multimode 50 microns/ 125 m, 62.5/ 125 and 8.3 micron core for the single-mode flavor!

[1rudeboy]

Don't forget that the sponge is naturally-occuring, and has huge advantages in both fixed and variable costs. The paleos will be along shortly to explain the tariff needed to save tech jobs at Lucent.

[Pyro7480]

LOL!

[Pro-Bush]

Excuse me, but the last time I checked, a fiber optic cable is manufactured, not a life form or mineral that evolved on it own. that is the difference buddy. Your have a broad definition of nature. What is your point about wasp nests & anthills? Because they were created by the insects? Big deal.

[DainBramage]

"Oh yeah, well lets bury Mrs Songe under the street and see who works best"

"I'll beat him like a red headed Dial Up Modem"

[Pro-Bush]

The paleos will be along shortly to explain the tariff needed to save tech jobs at Lucent.

Good one.