Coral Shavings

*Coral dragonscale*. A hard coral that grows on hydrothermal vents, using the temperature gradient between its hot base and its cold-water lip to drive metabolic reactions. 1. Hard coral Dragon's scale polyps must grow their hard coral shells in water rich with dissolved minerals—a good resource, if it doesn't dissolve you too. Limestone cannot survive in this ventwater. Instead, the dragon's scale polyps extend long fibers which collect metal ions. These metal whiskers are both an anchor for further mineral growth and the key to the coral's metabolism. 2. Whisker-based metabolism The difference in temperature between the cold and hot end of the dragon scale induces electrical current along its whiskers, which the dragon scale polyps use to drive its metabolism. 3. Troilite superconductor Deposits of troilite (an iron sulfide mineral) within the dragon scale enter an unusual quantum spin state when heated above 150C. Assessment: possible applications to research and computation.