Nature has equipped the limpet, a tiny marine mollusk, with teeth stronger than any other biological material ever tested.

A team of researchers, led by the University of Portsmouth’s Professor Asa Barber, examined the sea creature in a study published by the Royal Society Journal Interface.

“Until now we thought that spider silk was the strongest biological material because of its super strength and potential in everything from bullet-proof vests to computer electronics…” said Barber. “…but now we have discovered that limpet teeth exhibit a strength that is potentially higher.”

Much like using an ice scraper to clear a car’s windshield, limpets tear nutrient-rich food from rocks to eat. These little fangs steady the mollusk in the face of unavoidable tides as well.

Measuring in below a millimeter in length, they may help engineers create more compact and sturdy designs.

The professor adds, “The problem is that most structures have to be fairly big, so they’re weaker than we would like. Limpet teeth break this rule as their strength is the same no matter the size.”

Limpet teeth are composed of mineral fibers known as goethite, a material discovered in 1806 and named to honor the legacy of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

“We discovered that the fibers of goethite are just the right size to make up a resilient composite structure,” explains Barber.

Moving forward, engineers may mimic the composition of limpet teeth to reinforce vehicles such as planes, boats and cars.

Nature has a reputation for inspiring technology, as a brief list from LiveScience demonstrates. Spider silk is liked to a new medical tape that doesn’t damage tissue when it’s removed. The latching mechanism of a parasitic worm was mirrored in a new skin grafting technique. Shark skin was replicated in a material known as dentin, which reduces drag in the water.

“Biology is a great source of inspiration when designing new structures, but with so many biological structures to consider, it can take time to discover which may be useful,” said Barber.