According to CNN, researchers at Northwestern University in the US have found Santabarbaraite in the teeth of a large soft-bodied animal, called Gumbot chiton or Cryptochiton stelleri.
This species of mollusk is brown-red and slightly resembles a turtle. It grows along a rocky coastline and can be up to 36cm long and weigh 2kg.
Researchers were surprised to find the iron mineral in the teeth of a mollusk, because it was previously only found in stone.
"This mineral has only been observed in very small amounts in geological samples and has never been seen in a biological context," said Derk Joester, senior research author and associate professor of science.
Chiton needs strong teeth because they chew rocks to remove algae and other nutrients. Their teeth are one of the hardest materials in nature and are attached to a flexible tongue-like part, called the radula.
The new study is helping scientists understand how chiton teeth can survive in wear and tear due to their eating needs. This allowed them to develop a type of 3D printing ink, which when dried can create super hard and durable materials.
